Kia ora
A fair society is better for everyone. We know that inequality hurts us all, and yet New Zealand is one of the most unequal countries in the developed world.
We were making progress at closing the gap between rich and poor, but new statistics show that progress has stopped under John Key's Government.
If we give everyone a fair go and guarantee the essentials, we can start to close the gap again. We've got some ideas to get there in our 'Mind the Gap' package.
Metiria Turei, 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
Fair prices for Growers Facebook page
Join Sue Kedgley's Fair Prices for Growers Facebook group. Join the Facebook Group
Halt deep sea drilling
Tell John Key that you want him to call a halt to more drilling until all the environmental and safety issues are resolved.
2010 Energy Strategy submission guide
Have your say and encourage the Government to put sustainability at the heart of our energy plan.
Read submission guide
Fast-track the Auckland CBD rail loop
The CBD rail loop is a public transport project that has the potential to transform the Auckland rail network.
Read about the Rail loop | Join the campaign Facebook Group | Sign our online petition
New Chums Beach - love it, protect it
New Chums Beach - Wainuiototo - is under threat from the developer's bulldozer. Join over 5,000 people calling on John Key's government to protect it.
Join the movement on Facebook | Sign the petition
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.
More on the Mokihinui dam proposal | Send an eCard | Print the petition
Events
Mind the Gap public meeting
Waitakere City - Thursday 26th August, 7:00pm, Waitakere City
Metiria Turei speaks about 'Mind the Gap', the Greens' package of measures to deal with growing inequality in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Smart Business Breakfast hosted by David Clendon MP - Dunedin
Thursday 2nd September 7.30-9.00am, Ironic Cafe and Bar, 9 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin (Opposite Railway Station)
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 Tuesday 31st August
Fairness at Work Rallies - Auckland, Wellington Christchurch
Saturday 21 August, 1pm
Come along with our Green MPs and show your support for the Fairness at Work Rallies. The National Government is planning changes to industrial relations that will result in unfair dismissal of workers and reduced access to union support and membership.
Dr Kennedy Graham speaking at 'Reconstituting the Constitution' Public Law Conference
Friday 3rd September, 9.30-10.30am, Legislative Council Chamber, Parliament, Wellington
Videos
Gareth talks about warm, healthy rentals
Green Party MP Gareth Hughes talks about his plans to help get energy bills down and keep people who live in rental accommodation warm. Watch the video...
Podcasts
The politics of disability
The Greens recently had two members bills pulled from the Parliamentary ballot, including Catherine Delahunty's bill to establish a Disability Commissioner within the Human Rights Commission. Listen to podcast...
Subscribe to our podcasts in iTunes
Press releases
Greens saddened by death of Parihaka leader
18 August 2010
The Green Party expressed sadness at the sudden passing of Te Miringa Hohaia yesterday. Read more...
Billboards designed to scare, not educate
18 August 2010
The Coastal Coalition's billboards are divisive, dishonest and not helpful for resolving an important Treaty issue, the Green Party said today. Read more...
Inequality, child poverty plateau under National
16 August 2010
The latest Household Incomes in New Zealand report shows the gap between rich and poor has plateaued since John Key's Government came into office, the Green Party said today. Read more...
Support foster parents and single parents
11 August 2010
Extra support for foster parents is the right attitude, and one John Key's Government could extend to single parents, the Green Party said today. Read more...
Invest in jobs and wages, not beneficiary bashing
9 August 2010
Investment in real job creation and a living wage for everyone is what's needed instead of hand-wringing about 'long-term welfare dependency' and trying to force people off benefits into scarce, low-paid work, the Green Party said today. Read more...
Government needs to retain role in state housing
6 August 2010
John Key's Government needs to invest in state housing not divest itself of a role in looking after our most vulnerable citizens, said the Green Party today. Read more...
Disability Commissioner Bill pulled from ballot
6 August 2010
Green Party disability spokesperson Catherine Delahunty's Human Rights (Disability Commissioner) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Members Ballot today. Read more...
Blog posts
Clowns to the left of me, racists to the right… - by frog
Something ugly crawled out from under a rock this week. Read more...
Youth Health services at risk - by Kevin Hague
Yesterday the Health Select Committee heard a briefing from the Ministry of Health in response to the petition of Jacinda Ardern and others seeking to safeguard youth one stop shops. Read more...
Sacked on day 85, no reason given - by frog
Florence Cohen was sacked from her first job on her 85th day of her 90 day trial period. Read more...
Inequality in Aotearoa: updated statistics - by Metiria Turei
A major report was released today. Read more...
25 years of alternative education - by Catherine Delahunty
Last Thursday night I was one of the guests at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Porirua Alternative School. Read more...
Inequality in Aotearoa: life expectancy again - by Metiria Turei
There was an interesting report on Friday about the links between life expectancy, inequality, and smoking which revealed some pretty scary findings: the rich are living longer, the gap in life expectancy between rich and poor is growing, and so is the gap in life expectancy between Maori and non-Maori. Read more...
Fire at will law needs to be repealed, not extended - by frog
If anyone was in any doubt how unfair National's fire at will legislation is, this video of sacked pharmacy employee Heather Smith's experience should dispel that doubt. Read more...
“Floodgates” of Police rape? - by Catherine Delahunty
This morning the Attorney General announced there will be no compensation for 8 women who were part of an inquiry into police rape cases. Read more...
Alarming trend in early childhood fundraising? - by frog
One of my froggy friends recently attended a fundraising event at her grandson's Playcentre, and was alarmed to be greeted with a table groaning with Nestle products – flavoured coffee sachets and so on. Read more...
National's Plan B: Strip-mine the poor - by frog
A printed copy of an email from Paula Bennett turned up at my lilypad very early this morning. Read more...
Join the Fairness at Work rallies - by frog
On July 18 2010, John Key announced the National Government's plan to drastically change employment law in New Zealand. Read more...
Speeches
Social Assistance (Future Focus) Bill - Second Reading - Part 5 - Metiria Turei MP, 5 August 2010
Watch video or read transcript...
Women do not have pay equity yet - General Debate - Catherine Delahunty - Catherine Delahunty MP, 4 August 2010
Women do not have pay equity yet, and it is not improving. Watch video or read transcript...
