The Green Party believes everyone has a right to enough affordable food. We would ensure the needs of New Zealanders are met by creating a national food strategy, and by setting our own distinct standards. We value transparent, safe and sustainable food systems that provide for adequate food labelling, appropriate safety measures, and production that actively supports a healthy environment. The Green Party also envisions a decolonised food industry and the reduction of inequities faced by tangata whenua in regards to food security.
Vision
Everyone is sustained by nourishing, regenerative, and locally produced food that is affordable for all.
Values and Principles
Food policy must be guided by the following values and principles:
- Honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi: The food sovereignty of tangata whenua should be upheld and recognised, including traditional and contemporary knowledge about food and agriculture and the ability for hapū and iwi to maintain independence in their food production for the benefit of their people through their tino rangatiratanga. Māori have the right to sustainable food practices, inclusive of rongoā, and accessibility to all foodstuffs and their taonga.
- Ecological Wisdom: Food systems should be based on reciprocity, regenerative practices, mātauranga Māori and uphold our responsibility for ecologically sustainable management of land, soils, water, seas, seeds, livestock and all other biodiversity.
- Social Responsibility: All New Zealanders, regardless of income, should have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious, affordable and culturally appropriate food. Aotearoa New Zealand should contribute to a global food system where everyone has enough to eat and food is produced and traded equitably.
- Appropriate Decision-Making: Information about health, environmental and ethical aspects of food should be readily available and inform public food supply regulations and personal choice. Food practices should be grounded in mātauranga Māori and decision-making regarding the choices of hapū and iwi should be adhered to through the mechanisms of Matike Mai.
- Non-Violence: Animals raised for food production should be treated humanely and have the ability to express natural behaviours.
- Resilience: Producers should be supported to develop adaptable, self-sufficient, local food economies.
Strategic Priorities
The Green Party’s strategic goals include:
“...regenerative practices in all areas of economic activity, including land use and food production, will predominate.”
Actions in this policy that will work towards this goal include:
- Improve availability and affordability of whole and value-added plant-based food. (1.4)
- Provide free nutritious lunches for every public school child in Aotearoa New Zealand, prioritising wholefood plant-based foods. (1.5)
- Develop a National Food Strategy for self-sufficiency in food production and security of food supply in Aotearoa New Zealand. This strategy will include protecting high value food growing land, promoting local food production and processing, investigating the need for a national food and seed reserve, and providing support and funding for regenerative agriculture and organic food growing initiatives such as māra kai and māhinga kai. (2.1)
- Improve equitable access to, and information about, food that is certified climate-positive, nutritious, locally produced and affordable. (5.1)
Connected Policies
Other policies connected to food production include: Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Animal Welfare, Climate Change, Environmental Protection, and Research, Science and Technology. Food systems are also connected to Health outcomes.
