There are concerns over the number of people who fit government criteria for Kiwibuild houses.

As of November 5th, there were 388 pre-qualified KiwiBuild applicants after online pre-qualifications opened in mid-August.

Infometrics economist Gareth Kiernan told Mike Hosking the government knew back in February only 25,000 Auckland households would fit the Kiwibuild criteria.

But he says they're building 50,000.

"Offering brand new homes to first home buyers, you're immediately getting into a difficult recipe of the size of the house or the location or those sorts of issues."

Kiernan says Kiwibuild will struggle to continue if they're can't sell houses and keep the capital rolling over.

LISTEN TO GARETH KIERNAN TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE