Kia ora
Like all New Zealanders, we were gutted to hear that efforts in Christchurch have moved from rescue to recovery mode. Our hearts go out to everyone who has lost loved ones.
The road to recovery in Christchurch will be long and costly. We’re very worried that the Government may make cuts to Working for Families. Thousands of families rely on that support. It would be very strange to ask families to pay for the rebuilding effort, without asking the same of those without children.
A small, temporary earthquake levy would raise more money, and spread the cost more fairly. That’s why it’s our favoured method to fund the challenge ahead.
Kia kaha
Metiria Turei, Green MP
- recommended 
- includes video
In this issue
Earthquake response
Video
Vigil for Christchurch
A week after the devastating Christchurch earthquake New Zealanders paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the Christchurch quake with a two minute silence. Watch the video...
Green Co-leaders' message after Christchurch earthquake
Green Party Co-leaders Metiria Turei and Russel Norman send a message to the people of Christchurch following the tragic events of February 22nd. Metiria and Russel had just come from being briefed by the Government a day after the earthquake struck. Watch the video...
Blog posts
Helping Women's Refuge in Christchurch - by frog
Many of you may remember that after the September quake in Christchurch, there was a reported upsurge in domestic violence in the city. It seems that the same trend is emerging after this even more devastating quake. Read more...
Grade D liquefaction - by Kennedy Graham
In my last blog post, about 100 years ago, I graded liquefaction into three qualities. Grade A, I ventured, was the best – pure black sand, easy to shovel. Read more...
Greens soldier along with the clean up army - by Kennedy Graham
I'll be going door-to-door again today in some of Christchurch's hard hit eastern suburbs. A small group of Greens are now attached to the Student Volunteer Army. Read more...
Lyttelton Street Party - 26 February 2011 - by frog
Great to see! Read more...
What does 'a better Christchurch' mean to you? - by frog
"We do have a chance to do the new, green, environmentally sound, fantastically state-of-the-art, 21st-century place, that will attract the brains and the thinkers of the world to come and live here." Read more...
The purgatorial delights of liquefaction - by Kennedy Graham
From middle distance it looks ugly – alien and threatening. Something from another planet, menacing to humans. Actually, from Middle Earth. At shovel distance, it starts to attain a character you can come to terms with. If that is a metaphor for this stricken city, then not all is lost.Read more...
Day two in Hell - by Kennedy Graham
Thursday night I convene a meeting of Green members in my house. We exchange stories before we get down to business. One of us was close to the crushed buses. Read more...
Cry the Beloved City - by Kennedy Graham
In the House, I had said, “Whatever lies ahead, we shall not be daunted”....may I meet my own standards. Read more...
Speeches
2011 Canterbury Earthquake - Dr Kennedy Graham - Response to Ministerial Statement - Kennedy Graham MP, 22 February 2011
This appears to have been an unprecedented event--certainly for Christchurch and the people of Canterbury. Watch video or read transcript...
Podcasts
Orientation 2011
Orientation is underway on campuses around the country, with many students helping out with quake recovery efforts. Listen to podcast...
Subscribe to our podcasts in iTunes
Press releases
Earthquake levy fair; WFF cuts perverse
3 March 2011
A small, temporary levy is the fairest way to fund the rebuilding of Christchurch, not cuts to Working for Families, the Green Party said today. Read more...
Backdoor benefit cuts will hurt kids
22 February 2011
The recommendations of the Welfare Working Group would spell disaster for many vulnerable children if adopted, the Green Party said today. Read more...
Save on welfare without harsh cuts
21 February 2011
There's an easy way to save on welfare without delivering harsh cuts to our most vulnerable citizens: raise the minimum wage and invest in real job creation, the Green Party said today. Read more...
Life on a benefit about to get more impossible
20 February 2011
Making ends meet on a benefit is already next to impossible, and will get even harder if tough recommendations expected from the Welfare Working Group this week are adopted, the Green Party said today. Read more...
No four dollar an hour minimum wage in NZ
18 February 2011
The Government must make sure that workers in the care sector are paid more than four dollars an hour, Green Party industrial relations spokesperson Keith Locke said today. Read more...
Blog posts
Advertising for a disability champion - by Catherine Delahunty
I'm delighted to announce that the Human Rights Commission is now advertising the position of Disability Commissioner on their website. Read more...
