Electric buses arrive on time

Wellington bus operator Infratil’s decision to repower its iconic electric trolley buses with electric drivetrains is a victory for the environment and all those who campaigned to keep clean buses in the capital, the Green Party said.

“Electric buses will be excellent for Wellington’s air quality and for reducing our contribution to climate pollution,” said Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.

“I want to congratulate Infratil for making a good decision, and also congratulate the people who signed postcards and petitions asking Infratil not to replace the trolley buses with dirty diesels.

“This is a big win for the Wellingtonians who stood up and said they didn’t want to see their city choked by fumes from diesel-hybrid buses.

“In the absence of any Government action on climate change, it’s this kind of leadership that will see New Zealand finally start to make some progress toward reducing our climate pollution.

“Electric buses and other electric vehicles are the way of the future. They will help keep our air clean, help stop climate change, and help us reduce our annual $6 billion bill for oil imports.

“With more private companies jumping on the electric vehicle bandwagon every week, it’s past time that the National Government started walking the talk on electric vehicles.

“Investing in electric buses is exactly the kind of transformative decision the Government needs to lead on, so all businesses can follow suit. National continues to let New Zealanders down by failing to lead on doing our bit to protect the climate," Ms Genter said.

Volunteer

The Greens are proud to be driven by passionate people like you. Today we need your help to take action on the biggest issues facing New Zealand.

Action

Save Auckland's Climate Budget

Sign the petition to stop Mayor Wayne Brown's proposal for dangerous cuts to climate and environmental programmes that protect us from extreme weat...

Action

No New Mines 2023

Action

Expand Voting

Now more than ever, young people in Aotearoa are impacted by Government decisions, and they deserve to have a say. We are calling on all Members of...

Action

End Intensive Winter Grazing

Sign the petition to Labour Ministers, to move faster in bringing regulations into force and end intensive winter grazing.

Action

Trains for Climate

Add your name to our open letter urging the Minister for Finance Grant Robertson to save our passenger trains between Wellington, the Wairarapa and...

Action

Healthy Oceans 2022

Join our Healthy Oceans Crew to help us keep the health and protection of our oceans high on the Labour Government’s political agenda.

Action

It's time: A Ministry for Rainbow Communities

Join our call asking the Prime Minister to establish a Ministry for Rainbow Communities that can champion Rainbow issues.

Action

No new mines on conservation land

Sign the open letter asking Labour Ministers to stick to their promise of banning new mining projects on conservation land.

Action

Allow community ownership of our buses

Public transport is an essential service and helps to tackle the climate crisis by reducing our carbon emissions. But there are barriers to communi...

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Environment Announcements

Story

Forestry sector must compensate for slash damage

The Green Party welcomes today’s release of the report of the Ministerial Inquiry into slash and sediment, and are clear that the forestry industry...

Greens launch petition to protect conservation lands from mining by Mineralogy International Limited

The Green Party has today launched a petition calling for conservation land to be protected from mining by big overseas companies such as Mineralog...

National's drought of ideas won't help farmers facing climate change

Christopher Luxon and the National Party have once again presented another lazy, back-of-the-napkin policy to Aotearoa.

Freshwater crisis needs stronger government action

New Zealand’s rivers, lakes and freshwater are in crisis and there needs to be a more ambitious Government plan to clean them up and protect agains...

Greens welcome waste strategy release and work

The Green Party is today welcoming the release of the Government’s waste strategy, but says it has a big gap without action on the container return...

NZ needs strong protection against water privatisation

New Zealanders deserve strong protection against the future privatisation of water assets, the Green Party says.

Story

Green initiative addresses both climate and inequality

A long standing Green Party policy has been extended yet again in this year’s Budget. This will deliver warmer homes for thousands of people, lower...

Greens on board with more affordable buses and trains

The Green Party is fully on board with free bus and train travel for under 12s and half price travel for under 25s - next stop, free travel for all...

Government needs to broaden KiwiRail inquiry focus

The Green Party is calling on the Government to broaden the focus of its inquiry into KiwiRail, after widespread disruption in Auckland.

Lower North Island rail on the right track, but more investment needed

Government investment in a new fleet of trains in the lower North Island is another win for Green Party solutions - but much more ambition will be ...

Waitematā Harbour crossing options not good enough

Rapid transit for the Waitematā Harbour crossing must be the priority - not more car lanes that will make congestion and climate change worse.

Greens secure win for clean transport

The Green Party has made it easier for commuters to access e-bikes thanks to an amendment to tax rules.

Story

Government must stop all new oil and gas exploration

The Green Party are welcoming a pause on all remaining oil and gas exploration, and call on the Government to stop it all together.

Crown mineral change does not go far enough

Long overdue changes to the Crown Minerals Act are a welcome step in the right direction but the Government needs to go further to end the nonsensi...

Fix electricity market to help both climate and cost of living

The four big electricity companies should be required to reinvest massive profits into cutting both household bills and climate pollution, the Gree...

Luxon risks burning down five years of climate progress

Chris Luxon’s plan to reopen new gas projects in the middle of the climate crisis is about as irresponsible as it gets.

Global energy agency calls for end to oil and gas

Fossil fuel corporations claiming gas as a suitable “transition” fuel is jeopardising New Zealand’s chances of achieving its net zero climate chang...

The search for fossil fuels must come to an end

Following a High Court decision yesterday the Green Party is calling on the Government to amend the Crown Minerals Act to end fossil fuel extractio...

Story

Boosting housing and clean transport only realistic option for LGWM

The Green Party says Let’s Get Wellington Moving can and must address the climate & ecological crises and provide for more affordable homes.

Wellington's Transport Future

Congestion Free Wellington Our Future of Transport Plan includes a comprehensive plan to really get Wellington moving, while reducing our depend...

FIND OUT MORE

Story

Healthy, affordable homes a Green Party priority for Wellington

The Green Party would push to ensure everyone in Wellington has a warm, safe and affordable place to live as part of the next Government.

Hutt Road cycle path officially opened

Associate Minister of Transport Julie Anne Genter today officially opened a separated pathway, following the completion of the Kaiwharawhara Stream...

Wellington Council housing plan a hint of things to come

The Green Party has today welcomed Wellington City Council’s proposed social and affordable housing plan as an example of how to help solve the hou...

Rail line could run from capital to north of Waikanae

The Green Party would look at extending the electric rail line and commuter trains north of Waikanae to improve access to Wellington and relieve co...