Kia ora
I'm hoping the launch of the Alternative Welfare Working Group will be an inspiration for change in how we think about looking after everybody in our society.
It's great to see a group dedicated to positive change that can provide an alternative vision to the Key Government's approach of blaming and shaming our most vulnerable citizens.
I'm also delighted that Sue Bradford will be involved, as her leadership and advocacy for a fairer, more caring society has always been an inspiration to me. Many people are struggling under this Government, but I'm hopeful, thanks to work like this, that New Zealand can change for the better.
Catherine Delahunty, Green MP
- recommended 
- includes video
In this issue
Take action
Save the Mokihinui River: send an eCard to John Key
One of New Zealand's valuable wild rivers, the Mokihinui River, is under threat from a hydro-electricity dam proposal.
Send an eCard to the Prime Minister now to ask him to step in and stop the dam.
Read about the Mokihinui dam proposal | Send an eCard
Fair prices for Growers Facebook page
Join the Fair Prices for Growers Facebook page setup by Sue Kedgley. Join the Facebook Group
Smart Business Survey for SME owners
We want to be your voice in Parliament Survey closes 1 August 2010. Fill out the survey online
Block the trade of illegal Kwila timber on Trade Me
Help stop the destruction of Indonesian rainforest by telling those who run Trade Me why they should ban the trade of the illegal tropical hardwood on their site. Read about the illegal timber trade | Contact Trade Me through their enquiries page
Events
Aged Care Tour
Sue Kedgley's Aged Care Tour is travelling the country in conjunction with Grey Power and Winnie Laban. There are many issues in our aged care sector and we'd love to hear about your experiences.
For information, please contact Sue's office. Visit the Aged Care Tour page for public meetings coming up in your area.
Save the Mokihinui - Takaka
When: Mon, 12/07/2010 - 7:30pm
Where: Golden Bay Community Centre
88 Commercial Street, Takaka
Hear Kevin Hague talking about mining, the Mokihinui and other critical environmental issues.
Save the Mokihinui - Motueka
When: Tue, 13/07/2010 - 7:00pm
Where: Motueka Community House
Decks Reserve, Wallace Street (near where the Sunday Market is held)
Hear Kevin Hague talking about mining, the Mokihinui and other critical environmental issues.
Presentation of 'Mind the Gap' to the Hutt Housing Forum - Wellington
When: Wed, 14/07/2010 - 9:30am
Where: Kokiri Marae Health and Social Services, 7-9 Barnes Street, Seaview, Lower Hutt
Metiria Turei will be presenting Part 3 of the Green Party's Green New Deal - called Mind the Gap to the Hutt Housing Forum on Wednesday 14th July.
Catherine Delahunty on disability and 'Mind the Gap' - Whanganui
When: Fri, 16/07/2010 - 2:00pm
Where: Conference Room (2nd Floor), Community House, 53a Ridgeway Street, Whanganui
Join Catherine Delahunty for a public meeting on Mind the Gap, the Green's programme for a fair society, and what this means for disability rights.
Smart Business Breakfast hosted by David Clendon - Wellington
When: Friday 23rd July 7.30-9.00am
Where: Southern Cross, 35 Abel Smith St, Te Aro, Wellington
Take this opportunity to share your views about what central government is (or is not) doing for business and let David know what you think could help your business prosper. RSVP before Wednesday 21 July.
Podcasts
The Volunteer Economy
Green Party MP and serial volunteer Catherine Delahunty recounts one of the most entertaining and impressive experiences of a coordinated volunteer programme to support a community court case against a mine in the Coromandel, and discusses the oft-overlooked importance of unpaid work in our economy. Listen to podcast...
View all podcasts | Subscribe to our podcasts in iTunes
Press releases
Greens welcome fairer vision for welfare
8 July 2010
The launch of an alternative working group on welfare will help promote discussion of positive change for New Zealand's welfare system, said the Green Party today. Read more...
NZ should help Australia by taking more refugees
7 July 2010
New Zealand should reject any role in processing asylum seekers offshore, as proposed yesterday by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Green Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson Keith Locke said today. Read more...
Broken Promises Broken Homes
5 July 2010
John Key's Government is not investing enough to meet its own limited goals for state housing, said the Green Party today. Read more...
Charities overshadowed by deregistration
2 July 2010
If the line drawn by the Charities Commission means Plunket just scrapes through as a charity while the National Council of Women (NCWNZ) has been threatened with deregistration, then the law needs to be changed, the Green Party said today. Read more...
Greens celebrate landmark insulation programme
1 July 2010
The Green Party is celebrating the success of its home insulation programme. Read more...
Govt doing nothing to reduce gender pay gap
30 June 2010
Minister of Women's Affairs Pansy Wong effectively conceded today that her Government has taken no new steps in the last year to reduce the pay gap between men and women, despite telling Parliament in June 2009 that she would "leave no stone unturned" to try to close the gap, the Green Party said. Read more...
Another lesson for Govt on National Standards
25 June 2010
News that the Auckland Primary Principals' Association (APPA) has recommended its members stop attending training for the implementation of the new National Standards is further proof that the Government needs to reassess the flawed policy, the Green Party said today. Read more...
Blog posts
The Volunteer Economy - Podcast - by frog
Check out the latest podcast from Parliament. Read more...
JB Hi Fi picket - by Keith Locke
Arguments employers used during the recession to stop wages rises don't hold much water now. Read more...
ToTolleytarianism - by frog
Anne Tolley turned up, gave a 15 minute lecture to the assembled school principals, and left. Read more...
Feminist Rapper Episode 2: Real Ladies Fight Back - by frog
I posted episode 1 a couple of weekends ago. Read more...
Celebrating the Green's insulation success - by frog
Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the Heat Smart insulation programme. Read more...
The Government's record on pay equity - by Catherine Delahunty
It is one year since the Government axed the Pay and Employment Equity Investigation Unit from the Dept of Labour. Read more...
The Minister of Education and the disappearing National Standards research - by Catherine Delahunty
I’m a great fan of the Parliamentary Library. Read more...
ACC “crisis” was all in Nick Smith’s head - by frog
Well, it turns out that the only crisis with ACC was the one in Nick Smith's head. Read more...
Whose story? History teachers exposed - by Catherine Delahunty
Richard Manning of Canterbury University has done a doctoral thesis which exposes cold facts about history teachers avoiding teaching Maori issues and topics. Read more...
Speeches
Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill - Gareth Hughes speaks to the third reading - Gareth Hughes, 1 July 2010
GARETH HUGHES (Green): Kia ora, Mr Assistant Speaker. Watch video or read transcript...
Drop and shop? Lowering standards of childcare - Catherine Delahunty MP, 30 June 2010
Whether it is for 2 hours or 10 hours, standards of care must be met. Watch video or read transcript...
Oral questions
Closing the gender pay gap? - Catherine Delahunty MP, 30 June 2010
CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) to the Minister of Women's Affairs: Does she stand by her statement to the House on 18 June 2009 that the Government "will leave no stone unturned" in trying to close the gender pay gap? Watch video or read transcript...
