Kia ora
The commemoration of Christchurch's February earthquake involved memories and hope. We remembered who and what we had lost while being optimistic about the future.
After the quakes we came together as a nation.
That same commitment to caring and sharing can provide strong foundations for rebuilding Christchurch and a fairer and more equal New Zealand.
Eugenie Sage, Green MP
http://bit.ly/zus7Qa @NZGreens" target="_blank">
In this issue
Take action
Make a submission on the Auckland Prostitution Bill
If passed, this Bill would enable the Auckland 'Super City' Council to re-criminalise soliciting in particular areas (of its choosing), which effectively recreates exactly the imposition on the rights of sex workers that existed before the passing of the Prostitution Reform Act 2003. We oppose this Bill.
Make a submission before Wednesday 29 February
Events
Smart Transport for the 21st Century: A public meeting with new Green MP Julie Anne Genter
24 February, Gisborne
Press releases
Risk of privatising youth employment services too high
23 February 2012
The Green Party has called on the Government to abandon plans to privatise the Ministry of Social Development's youth employment services, following the release of a Cabinet paper which reveals Treasury has significant concerns about the plan. Read more...
22 February Earthquake - One year on
22 February 2012
The Green Party hopes we all will pause today to remember the 185 individuals who lost their lives as a result of last year's severe Christchurch earthquake. Read more...
Report shows Govt failing children
17 February 2012
A new report confirms the National Government is failing our children, and shows the urgent need for policies to end child poverty in New Zealand, the Green Party said today. Read more...
Carers deserve a fair deal not endless litigation
13 February 2012
The Government needs to come to a fair and equitable agreement with families wanting to be paid for caring for their own disabled children, Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty said today. Read more...
Blog posts
Urgent call for submissions: Auckland prostitution bill - by Jan Logie
The Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill, a local bill which proposes to make bylaws prohibiting the business of prostitution or commercial sexual services in specified public places in Manukau City, has been before the Local Government & Environment Select Committee since 2010. Read more...
Aspirational beneficiaries get shut down and shamed - by Jan Logie
Last week, the Associate Minister for Social Development, Chester Borrows, told the House and by virtue of that the whole country that beneficiary Tania Wysocki of Pukekohe was getting “the equivalent of a salary of $43,000 a year plus her entitlement to 20 hours’ early childhood education” and that she is no worse off without the Training Incentive Allowance.
Tania has been getting a hard time about this. Read more...
Living within the donut of social and environmental justice - by Gareth Hughes
George Monbiot poses an interesting question in the wake of an Oxfam report: Is protecting the environment incompatible with social justice? Read more...
Government needs to rethink National Standards after US experience - by Catherine Delahunty
No Child Left Behind was the US equivalent of the National Standards that New Zealand's National-led Government has imposed on primary and intermediate schools – in fact it was the model upon which National Standards were based. In the US there is increasing evidence that No Child Left Behind is a failure. Read more...
Speeches
The rise of the user pays parliament - policy conference speech 2012 - Metiria Turei MP, 19 February 2012
This election cemented our place as the third party of New Zealand. Watch video or read transcript...
Oral questions
Catherine Delahunty questions the Minister of Health on Family Caregivers - Catherine Delahunty MP, 14 February 2012
What is the total cost of legal action spent to date by his Ministry to oppose the claim that family members have the right to be paid to care for adult disabled children? Watch video or read transcript...
Holly Walker to the Minister for Social Development: child poverty, abuse, and neglect--role of family incomes - Holly Walker MP, 14 February 2012
Does she consider low family incomes to be a major contributor to childhood vulnerability? Watch video or read transcript...
