Kia ora
Our older citizens deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, but we have a crisis in our aged care system.
I travelled all around New Zealand with Labour's Winnie Laban in an effort to discover what was happening with aged care. We heard many shocking stories of abuse and neglect, and heard from hundreds of concerned citizens who support making urgent improvements.
Our report recommends comprehensive changes including establishing an Aged Care Commissioner, a star rating system for aged care facilities, mandatory staffing ratios, minimum training levels and decent pay for caregivers and nurses.
Hundreds of New Zealanders came to our meetings and support our findings. This issue is too big for petty politics.
Sue Kedgley, 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
Fairness at Work Rallies - national day of action
Wednesday 20th October is a nationwide day of action against National's attacks on workers such as the 90 days fire at will provision and changes to sickness benefits. Come along and show your support for this vital campaign.
Worldwide Anti-whaling Day
Friday 5th November, 2010 is worldwide anti-whaling day and there is action planned for centres around the world. Watch this space!
Videos
Aged care report launch
Green MP Sue Kedgley and Labour's Winnie Laban travelled around New Zealand, talking to people in their homes and communities about the quality of aged care. Watch the video...
Podcasts
Green Spirituality: Gareth Hughes
Today is the first of an occasional series where we talk to a Green MPs about their spirituality. Listen to podcast...
Subscribe to our podcasts in iTunes
Press releases
Aged Care sector nearing crisis point
15 October 2010
The Aged Care sector is fast reaching crisis point, and comprehensive changes are needed, including mandatory staffing ratios, minimum training levels, the establishment of an Aged Care Commissioner, and a shift in emphasis towards ageing in place, if chronic problems in the sector are to be addressed, an extensive inquiry into the sector has found. Read more...
Struggling families hit hardest by food, GST rises
13 October 2010
Rising food prices coupled with the increase in GST will hurt Kiwi families who are already struggling financially, the Green Party said today. Read more...
30 more houses won't fix NZ housing crisis
11 October 2010
The Government's plan to provide deferred loans for 30 parcels of land will not address New Zealand's affordable housing crisis, said the Green Party today. Read more...
TVNZ ratings focus responsible for Henry debacle
11 October 2010
TVNZ should look to its soon to be dumped Charter for guidance in its review of its news and current affairs editorial policies, Green Party broadcasting spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today. Read more...
Breakfast host's cereal offending must prompt TVNZ rethink
8 October 2010
TVNZ needs to reconsider its decision to allow Paul Henry back on screen in a week's time, Green Party human rights spokesperson Keith Locke said today. Read more...
Paul Henry breaches TVNZ's own standards
6 October 2010
Paul Henry, by his racist and bigoted comments, has breached a number of key planks of the TVNZ Charter which TVNZ is still bound by, Green Party broadcasting spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today. Read more...
It's about more than Sir Anand, Paul
5 October 2010
Paul Henry still doesn't seem to understand how his comments yesterday offended more than the Governor-General, Green Party human rights spokesperson Keith Locke said today. Read more...
Blog posts
The latest on the gender pay gap - by Catherine Delahunty
On Thursday Statistics NZ released its annual Household Incomes Survey. Read more...
Paul Henry an international embarrassment to New Zealand - by frog
Indian TV station NDTV reports:
External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has described as "totally unacceptable" the remarks made by a TV talk show host in New Zealand against Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
The minister said that the High Commissioner of New Zealand has been asked to meet him.
Earlier this week, TV anchor Paul Henry made offensive remarks on air about how Dikshit's name should be pronounced. Read more...
Support 20 October Fairness at Work meetings - by frog
The NZ Council of Trade Unions is organising numerous Fairness at Work meetings around the country on Wednesday 20 October to work towards stopping the Government’s attacks on employee’s rights and to build a New Zealand where we all enjoy fair rights at work, decent wages and access to strong public services. Read more...
Employment inspiration in Mental Health Awareness Week - by Catherine Delahunty
This morning I attended a very positive event in Thames hosted by the Like Minds Like Mine team from Te Korowai Hauora O Hauraki. Read more...
More questions than answers over ACC cost shifting - by Kevin Hague
A couple of months ago, following ACC Minister Nick Smith’s u-turn on counselling for ACC sexual abuse claimants, I called for an independent review of the wide-ranging cutbacks to ACC imposed by the Government. Read more...
It's a war on youth - by Gareth Hughes
It hasn't been a good year for under-twenty year olds. Read more...
Paul Henry should actually apologise - by Russel Norman
Paul Henry has expressed his racism on TV. Read more...
Have your say on John Key’s plans to undermine ACC - by Kevin Hague
On Friday, the Government released consultation papers on levy increases and experience ratings for ACC. Read more...
A short lesson for Sir Peter on employment relations - by Keith Locke
I have no doubt that Sir Peter Jackson is a well-meaning person, with the interests of his workers at heart. Read more...
No more deaths by prejudice - by Kevin Hague
The recent suicide in the US of Tyler Clementi highlights the need for us to take effective action to create a more supportive world for young gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and intersex people. Read more...
How to stop drink driving? - by Gareth Hughes
A few days ago the Government announced another set of tough penalties for teen drink drivers.
They have effectively reduced the blood alcohol limit for teenage drink drivers to zero. Read more...
Speeches
'Treaty partnership and Green perspective on counselling practice' to Pacific Counselling Hui 2010 - Metiria Turei MP, 14 October 2010
Mihi Watch video or read transcript...
Dr Russel Norman: Speech to the National Distribution Union Biennial Conference 2010 - Russel Norman MP, 13 October 2010
My friends, these are not the best of times. Watch video or read transcript...
Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill - Kevin Hague's second Reading - Kevin Hague MP, 12 October 2010
The Green Party supported this bill at first reading and will continue to support it. Watch video or read transcript...
