Kia ora
I'm delighted that the Government has adopted a Green Party idea and will soon appoint a full-time Disability Commissioner.
I proposed this in my Human Rights (Disability Commissioner) Amendment Bill, after talking with the disability sector. My Bill was pulled from the ballot in August, circulated to all MPs, then Disability Minister Tariana Turia announced that the Government would create the position. My Bill didn't even need to be debated!
One in five people in New Zealand experience disability, and those in the sector believe that we need to make big structural changes. A Disability Commissioner is a great first step, and a great example of how the Greens are setting the agenda for political change in Parliament.
Catherine Delahunty, Green MP
- recommended 
- includes video
In this issue
Take action
Warm, Healthy Rentals: send an eCard to John Key
There are at least 1 million substandard homes in New Zealand and rental properties are generally the worst performing of these. We are calling on the Government to create performance standards which ensure warm, healthy, rentals.
Read about the warm, healthy rentals campaign | Send an eCard | Tell us your flatting horror stories
Events
Join David Clendon at World Teachers' Day March in Auckland
Saturday, October 30, 2010 - 10:30am, Queen Elizabeth Square (bottom of Queen St) to Albert Park. Auckland
NZEI is holding rallies on October 30 to celebrate World Teachers Day.
The events are themed "Celebrate, Value and Protect Teaching and Learning in NZ".
David Clendon to be at The Tree Council AGM
Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 2:00pm, Huia Lodge, One Tree Hill, Auckland
This year we have a panel discussion after the formal business. This
will be a timely and lively discussion with distinguished and informed
panel members, with whom we can ask questions and debate how we are
going to get the tree protection we need.
Russel in Victoria Uni Vice Chancellor's debate: "That this House has confidence in Her Majesty's Government"
Monday, November 1, 2010 - 6:30pm, Rutherford House, Lecture Theatre 1, Bunny Street, Wellington
Russel will be debating in the annual Vice-Chancellor's Debate on the
topic "That this House has confidence in Her Majesty's Government". Whether you love or hate the Government, the debate will be a fantastic occasion to hea r from some truly excellent speakers on either side.
Community Recycling Network Hui - Calling all CRN members to join David Clendon
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 - 8:30am, Taputeranga Marae, Island Bay, Wellington
This year our LiFE WiTH WaSTE theme will address the new Waste Strategy in relation to the Waste Minimisation Act and how our sector can work with central and local governemnt to establish a shared understanding of the Strategy's vision and how this can be realised in a collaborative and constructive way.
Save the Mokihinui Forum, Auckland
Thursday, November 4th, 2010 - 7:00pm, CitySide Hall, 8 Mt Eden Road, Auckland
You are warmly invited to a special forum hosted by Kevin Hague MP about the Mokihinui river.
Worldwide Anti-whaling Day
Friday 5th November, 2010 is worldwide anti-whaling day and there is action planned for centres around the world. Be a part of the actions in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Public Forum: "A Proud and Sustainable Christchurch" with Kennedy Graham
Saturday, 6 November, 2010 - 2:00pm - 5:00pm,Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Lounge, 286 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch
A cross-Party initiative, giving you a chance to say what you want from the rebuilding of Christchurch.
Public Health meeting with Green MP Kevin Hague and Mana Candidate Jan Logie
Tuesday, 9 November, 2010 - 7:00pm, Pataka Museum of Arts and Culture, Corner Parumoana & Norrie Streets, Porirua City , Wellington
Green MP Kevin Hague and Mana candidate Jan Logie will be speaking about their vision for public health in New Zealand and the local Mana electorate.
NZ's first virtual public meeting - Join Gareth Hughes on VSM and other important tertiary issues
Sunday, November 14, 2010 - 10:00am, Online via www.greens.org.nz/publicmeeting
Join New Zealand's first virtual public meeting to discuss Voluntary Student Membership, and other attacks on the tertiary sector.
The Whanganui River Bike Ride
Sunday, November 14, 2010 - 10:00am, Start and finish at Pakaitore (beside the Whanganui River)
Take a joy ride beside the beautiful Whanganui River. This is an easy 20 km, flat ride suitable for all fitness levels. You can even make it shorter if you like.
Press releases
National's legislation makes NZ look Braindead
28 October 2010
National's legislation to appease Warner Brothers is braindead and will send all workers in the film industry back to the days of the Employment Contracts Act, Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman said today. Read more...
Invest in homes not landlord subsidies
27 October 2010
The Government needs to invest in building new houses to address the current shortage of 70,000 homes, otherwise there will be a massive blowout in housing subsidies to landlords. Read more...
Don't turn Hobbiton into Mordor, Mr Key
27 October 2010
Overseas investors should have no say in changing New Zealand laws, Green Party industrial relations spokesperson Keith Locke said today. Read more...
Govt's housing plan inadequate
24 October 2010
The solution to New Zealand's housing crisis is to increase the housing stock, not simply shuffle the existing inadequate resources around, the Green Party said today. Read more...
Special education targets welcome, but will need firm commitment from Government
20 October 2010
The Green Party today welcomed the Government's long-awaited response to the review of special education, but sounded a note of caution about how its changes would be implemented without new funding. Read more...
Govt adopts Green proposal for Disability Commissioner
20 October 2010
News that the Government has adopted a Green Party proposal to appoint a full-time Disability Commissioner was welcomed by Green MP Catherine Delahunty today. Read more...
Greens join nationwide call for fairness at work
20 October 2010
Green MPs will today join nationwide stop work actions to support fairness at work. Read more...
World statistics day, some stats for the Government
20 October 2010
The Green Party today joined Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson in welcoming World Statistics day, and called for reflection on New Zealand's sobering inequality statistics. Read more...
New focus on children good, but not enough
18 October 2010
"My challenge to Labour is to ensure that every child, no matter what their family's income source, is guaranteed the same essentials so that every New Zealand child can succeed," said Mrs Turei. Read more...
Blog posts
To queer youth: It gets better! (Now with video!) - by Kevin Hague
We admired the American "It Gets Better" campaign so much that we decided to make our own:
The point of these videos is to reach out to young people who may be feeling alone and scared to provide hope, let them know that there are people who understand what they're going through and want to help, and also to offer practical support.
There may be other people who would like to record a message like this. Read more...
The Hobbit Bill or Employment Relations (Film Production Work) Amendment - by frog
For those of you who were having trouble earlier accessing the The Hobbit Bill [Employment Relations (Film Production Work) Amendment Bill] , it is now up here.
Establishing a Disability Commissioner - by Catherine Delahunty
Before I came to Parliament I thought making change happen was all about passing legislation and getting the numbers in the House. Read more...
Gerry Brownlee: The "employers’ representative" - by frog
If an employer’s representative made a statement like this one from Gerry Brownlee, it would be in serious breach of prohibition of duress under the Employment Relations Act. Read more...
Hobbit fallout mustn’t affect workers' rights - by Keith Locke
The dispute over the Hobbit shouldn’t be used to attack workers' rights. Read more...
Nick Smith needs to open his ears to the deaf - by Kevin Hague
As an MP I receive many lobbying letters.? Today one arrived that really caught my attention.? It was from the National Foundation for the Deaf, and it was about the cutbacks to ACC cover and entitlements for work-related hearing loss. Read more...
Tolley's miserly early childhood education policy - by Gareth Hughes
Last night I went to a meeting at my son’s creche about the changes the Government has made to early childhood funding and what that would mean for parents.
They weren’t a group of naturally political people but boy were they annoyed at the Government, and at Anne Tolley in particular, for what they see as a miserly, misplaced and myopic policy. Read more...
Hobbit debate moving into the realms of fantasy - by Keith Locke
In the spirit of the film itself, the Hobbit debate is moving into the realms of fantasy.
Last night around 100 people, organised by the Jackson camp, walked by my parliamentary office calling for an end to the international actors’ boycott of the Hobbit. Read more...
Cuts to Pasifika learning resources - by Catherine Delahunty
The Government has announced a completely bizarre decision to “pause” the popular Tupu and Folauga series of Pasifika language learning resources while the Ministry of Education considers ways of improving the achievements and literacy of Pasifika children.
If this is really the goal, why on earth have they destroyed the viability of a programme that is critical to the learning of Pasifika children? Read more...
State of the libraries - by Gareth Hughes
I love libraries. Sure I'm the bookish type – but I think everyone loves them for one reason or another. Read more...
Message to young queers: It gets better - by Kevin Hague
Today is the day for "wearing purple to stand up against anti-gay bullying", created in response to the recent wave of suicides by young gay people in the United States. Read more...
Will Labour really take action on child poverty? - by Metiria Turei
Annette King’s speech to the Labour Party conference over the weekend was all about how Labour’s policy will focus on children and “put our children first”. Read more...
Aged Care report launch promotes debate - by Sue Kedgley
There was a great turn out to the launch of our Aged Care report on Friday, including many in the sector such as the Nurses Organisation, Aged Concern, and the Service and Food worker’s Union, who welcomed the report and its recommendations. Read more...
Why I'm sore and tired - by Gareth Hughes
Last night, along with 60 others, I slept rough in downtown Auckland as part of Lifewise’s Big Sleep Out to raise money and awareness for homelessness.
I slept on cardboard in a car park and used my jacket as a pillow. Read more...
Speeches
Damaging our tertiary sector - Gareth Hughes speaks to the 2nd reading of the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill - Gareth Hughes, 21 October 2010
The Green Party can see no justification for the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill, and we agree with the majority of the submitters that the likely outcome of this bill will be damaging to our tertiary education sector. Watch video or read transcript...
State of the Libraries - Gareth Hughes addresses a LIANZA conference in Palmerston North - Gareth Hughes, 20 October 2010
When I was elected 7 months ago, I asked to be given the library and archives policy because after years of environmental campaigning, the idea of learning more about libraries and archives seemed fascinating, and I've always loved them. They are our community hubs where we go to read, meet, learn, get online, get warm and get political. Watch video or read transcript...
Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill - Kevin Hague's third reading - Kevin Hague MP, 19 October 2010
I begin by echoing the comments made by both Paul Hutchison and Ruth Dyson--and, indeed, by me in my second reading speech--praising the other members of the Health Committee for their work, and also the officials and the submitters; it was a great experience to be part of. Watch video or read transcript...
Aged Care in Crisis - Sue Kedgley MP, 15 October 2010
Sue Kedgley's speech at the Launch of the Report in to Aged Care - What does the future hold for older New Zealanders? Watch video or read transcript...
Oral questions
Metiria Turei asks Minister of Finance about shortage of affordable housing - Metiria Turei MP, 27 October 2010
METIRIA TUREI to the Minister of Finance: Is he satisfied that all the Government's economic policies contribute to the goal of "clear, credible, ambitious and growth-friendly, medium-term fiscal consolidation"? Watch video or read transcript...
Metiria questions Bill English on the role of unions - Metiria Turei MP, 22 October 2010
METIRIA TUREI to the Minister of Finance: Does he still want to close the wage gap with Australia; and if so, what role does he consider unions will have in closing that gap? Watch video or read transcript...
Sue questions the Minister on Aged Care - Sue Kedgley MP, 20 October 2010
Sue questions Hon Tony Ryall on the accountability of funding provided to aged care facilities Watch video or read transcript...
