The Building and Housing Minister has confirmed the fast-tracking of a thousand new homes at Auckland's Hobsonville Point.

Nick Smith says the Hobsonville Land Company, a Housing New Zealand subsidiary, is speeding up the release of land, where the new homes would not otherwise have been available till 2019.

They will now be ready to go from 2017.

Nick Smith says 30% of the new builds will be sold for under $550,000.

He says the demand has been huge, which is not surprising given the level of pressure on the Auckland housing market.

The project has also allowed a wider range of housing options and more compact design, which he thinks is part of the future for the city.