National must be sweating over the likely reactions of its focus groups to the issue of Auckland housing and the role played by Chinese buyers.
Across the political spectrum, there are fears money from overseas, most particularly China, will swamp this little land.
While the concerns might, at times, border on xenophobia, there are important issues to be discussed.
National must also be alarmed that Labour, so often in recent years unable to set the political agenda, has picked up an issue that has made the headlines and has run for days.
And although it might slip out of the headlines for a while, the place of the Auckland housing boom in the hearts and minds of New Zealanders ensures it will return.
Labour and its MP Phil Twyford took a calculated gamble when they promulgated leaked figures that close to 40% of the buyers of Auckland houses from one real estate firm in a relatively short period had Chinese surnames.
Although Mr Twyford acknowledged the figures proved nothing - and they do not - they raised a potential issue.
Combine them with anecdotal evidence and the observations of Auckland housing specialists and there is a matter worth considering and discussing.
As Labour said, although the information is raw and limited, there is an official data void.
It was all too easy for the Race Relations conciliator, Susan Devoy, and others to cry ''racism''.
But, while race and ethnicity issues are sensitive and can easily slip into stereotyping and blanket blaming, sometimes thoughtful debate in these areas is required. Non-resident ownership of land was already a sensitive issue.
And when many Aucklanders - which is home to a third of the country's population and the likely residence for family members of many others - are priced out of the market, concern is inevitable.
It is also all well and good to note the widespread interests in New Zealand land and businesses from Britain, the United States and Australia, but China is the growing world economic power.
Massive amounts of money are sloshing around looking for a home somewhere, and New Zealand is a green and pleasant land with an open economy and the rule of law.
What better place - Vancouver, Sydney and Singapore are also popular - to deposit some of the riches?Nine percent of Aucklanders are of Chinese ethnicity, and they will be among the buyers of real estate.
Their contribution to the country is large and it would not surprise if they bought houses in greater proportion than the numbers would suggest.
But, through various means, many offshore foreign nationals - Chinese and otherwise - are buying properties and therefore, through competition, pushing up prices. Of course, sellers are pleased to see prices soar.
Should it be noted many MPs own Auckland properties and their asset(s), as for those already on the Auckland property ladder, are climbing rapidly?
The Government from October 1, through bank detail and IRD requirements, is bringing in what amounts to a de facto foreign register. This is too little and too late.
Most places in the world do not allow foreign nationals the ease of access to land and property that New Zealand does. China certainly does not.
Switzerland, for example, many years ago instituted moves to stop wealthy outsiders swamping its property market.
Even Australia has controls, requiring non-residents only to buy new.
While there are always loopholes around any regulations (as perhaps evidenced by the latest housing market news out of Australia), the financial fillip from overseas money pouring into new apartments and housing complexes rather than second-hand houses could help alleviate some of the Auckland supply crisis.
The looming relaxation of Chinese rules for taking money out of China is seen by many commentators as another reason for anxiety.
The impetus of a flood of cash could further accelerate the property boom in Auckland and other ''safe'' centres around the world.
Concern about this is not to denigrate non-resident Chinese in any way. It is perfectly logical for them to buy New Zealand property.
Rather, it is up to this country not to be naive and set in place non-resident requirements.
National has to swallow its pride, accept a policy u-turn is needed, and act promptly and decisively.
