It's a case of lies, damn lies, and statistics as Labour and the Government square off over affordable housing developments in Auckland.

Labour Leader Andrew Little has released information obtained from the Auckland Council, that he says shows of the 1400 homes built in the city's special housing areas, only 18 of those sold to first home buyers in the last three years meet affordable housing criteria.

"This is crazy," Mr Little said. "The Government has failed to deliver on the promise they made of special housing areas. It isn't working."

He said 18 affordable houses in three years is nowhere near enough.

But Prime Minister John Key rejected the allegation.

"If the member wants to believe some dodgy number, he's welcome to. But then he believes a whole lot of dodgy numbers sometimes."

Building and Housing Minister Nick Smith also said Labour's figures are blatantly wrong.

"We know it just two of the 154 special housing areas that there is 350 homes that meet that criteria. So the number of 18 is just rubbish."

The Government's 154 SHAs include a requirement that between 5 and 10 per cent of properties must be sold at "affordable" prices - usually below $550,000 in Auckland.

The affordable homes are only available to first-home buyers on modest incomes, and developers must make a statutory declaration when a house is sold to someone who fits this criteria.