While the Government is looking to increase housing supply - the actual cost of building might be getting higher.

Combined Building Supplies Co-operative director Carl Taylor says there have been price increases across the board from timber, to tapwear, and even nails. 

He told Heather du Plesiss-Allan it's a supply and demand issue, impacted by importing struggles.

"A lot of suppliers that have been relying on sea freight are indicating that their sea freight costs are going up by two and a half times what they were paying a year ago. They are now having to resort to air freight."

However, her says suppliers can only hold onto those price increases for so long before they're relayed to the consumer.

LISTEN ABOVE