Kia ora
As Christmas approaches, we have a wish-list to guarantee the essentials for our kids, narrow the gap between the haves and the have-nots, and help to build strong communities.
On each of the Twelve Days of Christmas we are highlighting a key issue related to poverty and inequality, and presenting Green solutions. These include building 6,000 new state houses, extending Working for Families tax credits to the children of beneficiaries, making the first $10,000 of income tax-free, and introducing progressive pricing for electricity.
Together, we can build strong, resilient communities and families this Christmas.
Metiria Turei, Green MP
This will be our last Fairness and Society e-news for 2010. Take care of each other during the festive season and have a wonderful summer. We look forward to getting in touch in the new year.
- 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
Climate Change and Christmas - a short talk and drinks hosted by 350, Unicef and Oxfam
Monday, December 13, 2010 - 6-8pm, Function Room, Southern Cross, 39 Abel Smith Street, Wellington
350, Unicef and Oxfam have come together for this event to wish you a warm and wonderful festive season. Join them for drinks, nibbles and talks from Aaron Packard from 350.org and Sarah Morris from UNICEF.
Videos
The Greens' Twelve Days of Christmas
This Christmas, let's give our kids the essentials and guarantee them a fair go at a great future. Every child needs a warm, dry, secure home, safe food to grow healthy and strong, a quality public education, and a safe environment. Watch the video...
Press releases
On the fifth day of Christmas, let's build new warm, healthy state houses
10 December 2010
On the fifth day of Christmas, the Green Party today proposed building 6,000 new state houses in the next three years in response to the Government's announcement yesterday that it intends to push people out of state housing. Read more...
On the fourth day of Christmas, let's put children at the centre of welfare reform
8 December 2010
On the fourth day of Christmas, the Green Party today welcomed the release of the Alternative Welfare Working Group's (AWWG) report, and endorsed its recommendation to put children's interests at the centre of welfare reform. Read more...
On the third day of Christmas, let's support people with disabilities
8 December 2010
On 'the third day of Christmas' the Green Party today called for a change in attitude towards helping people with disabilities into work, away from punishment and towards inclusion. Read more...
On the second day of Christmas, let's do something about child poverty
7 December 2010
On 'the second day of Christmas', the Green Party today urged National and Labour do something concrete about child poverty by extending Working for Families support to children whose parents rely on a benefit. Read more...
On the first day of Christmas, let's guarantee our kids the essentials
5 December 2010
The Green Party will tomorrow launch a 'Twelve Days of Christmas' campaign urging New Zealanders to guarantee the essentials for every kiwi kid this Christmas Read more...
Blog posts
Happy Christmas Minister; what about child poverty? - by Catherine Delahunty
It seems Paula Bennett has been reading my Christmas message. Read more...
ACC disentitlement saga a shameful exercise from start to finish - by Kevin Hague
Four years ago the District Court decided that ACC claimants who were not earners at the time of their original injury, but who later became incapacitated from subsequent employment due to that injury, were not entitled to weekly compensation. Read more...
VSM: a very silly measure - by David Clendon
Last year Heather Roy’s (formally Roger Douglas') Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill was drawn from the members bill ballot.
The bill which was badly drafted when it entered the ballot biscuit tin emerged from select committee still in a shocking state.
And a partridge in a pear tree - by Catherine Delahunty
It's day three of our 'Twelve Days of Christmas' campaign today. Read more...
What are you wishing for our kids this Christmas? - by frog
It's Day Two of our 'Twelve Days of Christmas' campaign to guarantee our kids the essentials this Christmas. Read more...
What we're wishing for this Christmas - by Metiria Turei
Today, we're launching a 'Twelve Days of Christmas' campaign urging New Zealanders to guarantee the essentials for every kiwi kid this Christmas. Read more...
Today is International Volunteer Day - by Catherine Delahunty
Today (December 5) is International Volunteer Day - the day we celebrate volunteering, the effort that what really makes the world go round.
Imagine if no-one helped out at Kohanga or Playcentre unless they were paid? Read more...
Welfare Working Group: Submit, submit, submit - by Catherine Delahunty
It’s great to see the lively discussion continuing on my post last week about the future directions of welfare policy.
Welfare reports worlds apart - by Catherine Delahunty
In the past two days, two significant reports have come out about welfare. Read more...
White Ribbon Race goes Green - by frog
Yesterday was White Ribbon Day. We thought we'd enter a team to support such an awesome cause. Read more...
