Green Party launches open letter to Minister for Children

people and communities

Government ignores disabled people and passes flawed disability law

The passage of the Disability Support Services Bill is a profound failure to listen to disabled people, carers and whānau, Green Party Disability spokesperson Kahu Carter says.“‘Nothing about us’ without us is supposed to mean something. Today, this Government has shown disabled people that when it comes to decisions about their own lives, their voices can still be pushed aside. “This Bill was developed without meaningful consultation with disabled people and rushed through Parliament despite thousands of people speaking up...

Posted at September 03, 2026 9:02 AM by Kahurangi Carter

people and communities

47,500 more children in poverty under Luxon Government

The Green Party says the Child Poverty Action Group Change Manifesto to Reduce Child Poverty confirms change is needed, reinforcing the need for a government that champions the wellbeing of children instead of the interest of large corporations.“The state of child poverty in Aotearoa is shocking. One in seven children, 169,300 of them, are now in material hardship. That’s 47,500 more than in 2022. New Zealand must take action to end the child poverty crisis,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama...

Posted at August 27, 2026 11:56 AM by Marama Davidson

people and communities

Nats under-16 social media ban lets social media giants off the hook

The Green Party is critical of the Government’s bill which would attempt to ban social media for under-16s. “A ban on social media for under-16s doesn’t solve the problem of social media platforms churning out harmful and dangerous content in the first place,” says Green Party Spokesperson for Media and Communications, Hūhana Lyndon. “We need to regulate social media platforms for all users so these platforms are free from harmful content, rather than just trying to limit access for young people...

Posted at August 25, 2026 9:35 AM by Hūhana Lyndon

people and communities

Green Party announces plan for free and nutritious school lunches

The Green Party has announced its new election policy for free and nutritious school lunches.“School lunches are about more than food. They are about investing in our children’s futures, creating local jobs and supporting local food producers,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson. “We know that our tamariki learn better when they are well fed. Every child across Aotearoa deserves healthy, delicious, locally prepared kai that helps them thrive.” “This is why the Green Party is excited to announce that...

Posted at August 20, 2026 11:30 AM by Marama Davidson

people and communities

Newborns, cancer patients suffer as Govt leaves health jobs empty

The Green Party is calling for the Government to direct Te Whatū Ora to fill vacant roles in healthcare services as quickly as possible, and to fund them to do so.“The PSA provided damning evidence that the Minister of Health has knowingly weaponised the bureaucracy to slow the recruitment of health workers as a cost saving measure," says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson. “The refusal to invest in our frontline health services means Te Whatū Ora are deliberately delaying filling...

Posted at August 19, 2026 3:34 PM by Marama Davidson

people and communities

Long-term investment in aged care can't wait - delaying it will only increase the cost

The Green Party welcomes the release of “A place to grow old: Securing the future of aged care” report and echoes the need for a plan to support older people to live and age with dignity. “We need a system where people can receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” says Lawrence Xu-Nan, seniors spokesperson for the Green Party. “Successive Governments have not addressed the real issue of aged care, such as in-home care and...

Posted at August 18, 2026 10:51 AM by Lawrence Xu-Nan

people and communities

Seymour plan would strip students of the services they rely on

The Green Party says ACT leader David Seymour's proposal for voluntary student fees will finish the job of destroying student associations and the campus experience."Students are not customers who pass through a campus and leave. They are the people who make a campus what it is, and they should have real power over how it runs," says Green Party tertiary education spokesperson Francisco Hernandez. "In 2012, ACT's Voluntary Student Membership Bill ripped out the guts from student associations across the...

Posted at August 11, 2026 11:55 AM by Francisco Hernandez

people and communities

Unemployment hits 11-year high under Luxon's Government

49,000 more New Zealanders are out of work than when this Government took office, according to figures released by Stats NZ this morning showing 171,000 people unemployed and actively looking for work."Christopher Luxon's economic decisions have produced the highest unemployment rate in over a decade. Political tit for tat aside, it's time for the Prime Minister to put his hands back on the wheel of this economy and invest in our country. Clearly, cut after cut doesn't grow an economy....

Posted at August 05, 2026 11:48 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

people and communities

Luxon delays relief for regular people as living costs increase 3.2%

Household living costs increased 3.2% over the past 12 months, yet this Government is choosing to delay real relief and instead dangle it as an election promise, says The Green Party.“Luxon can talk about all they have done for the economy, but families can’t pay their bills with his empty words and promises,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson. According to the recent Consumers Price Index from Stats NZ, food costs increased 2.5% over the past 12 months, including a...

Posted at July 29, 2026 9:56 AM by Marama Davidson

people and communities

Green Party AGM 2026 Speeches

The following speeches were delivered at the Green Party 2026 AGM. Chlöe Swarbrick Ko te mea tuatahi, tēnei te mihi ki ngā mana whenua o tēnei rohe. Tēnā koutou.  Ko te mea tuarua, ka mihi au ki a koutou, kua tau mai nei i tēnei wā. No reira, e ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā rau Rangatira mā, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.  The Buy Kiwi Made campaign turns 21 years old this year. It was an innovation...

Posted at July 26, 2026 2:09 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson

people and communities

Greens Bill pushes to stop supermarkets binning edible food while families go hungry

The Green Party has introduced a Member’s Bill that would require New Zealand’s largest supermarkets to partner with food rescue organisations so perfectly good food reaches people instead of landfill.“Food is abundant. In a country that grows enough food to feed millions, no one should be going hungry while perfectly good kai is thrown away,” says Green Party Zero Waste spokesperson Kahu Carter. The Waste Minimisation (Food Waste) Amendment Bill is modelled on France’s Garot Law. It would require the...

Posted at July 23, 2026 3:26 PM by Kahurangi Carter

people and communities

Green Party calls for union membership as default setting for new employees

 The Green Party is backing unions through the Automatic Union Membership Members' Bill, which would make union membership the default setting for new employees.  "Workers are the backbone of our economy and this country. Unions give workers a voice in their workplace and help fight for their rights and best interests," says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.  “This will also be a policy we will be taking into the election, but we want to act now if the current government...

Posted at July 16, 2026 9:18 AM by Marama Davidson and Teanau Tuiono

people and communities

Greens commit to tax the super-rich and large corporates fairly, cut income tax for 96%

The Green Party has announced their 2026 tax policy ‘a tax system for all of us’ today. Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says, “All New Zealanders deserve the opportunity to thrive. Today we are proud to announce a tax policy that will tackle inequality and corporate greed to rebuild our country and put more money in the pockets of 96% of New Zealanders.” “People aren’t dumb. They know that while their cost of living has gone through the roof, corporate profits...

Posted at June 21, 2026 1:10 PM by Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick

people and communities

Homelessness at historic levels in New Zealand

The Green Party says the Government’s new funding for homelessness, announced yesterday, is a drop in the bucket to address the crisis in New Zealand.  "This is the worst homelessness in our history, with 57,000 women homeless and half of all homeless people under the age of 24. The Government's response has been a drop in the bucket to meaningfully address this crisis," says Green Party housing spokesperson Tamatha Paul.  "The Housing First waitlist is rising while 33% of emergency housing...

Posted at June 18, 2026 2:18 PM by Tamatha Paul

people and communities

Pasifika left behind by Budget 2026

Today Nicola Willis delivered a third Budget in a row which prioritises the super-rich and powerful over Pasifika peoples, says the Green Party.“This is a heartless Budget that continues to punish Pasifika peoples,” says Green Party Spokesperson for Pacific Peoples, Teanau Tuiono.   “At a time when Aotearoa has more kids in poverty, more people are homeless, and more people without work, it is Pasifika people who are suffering the most.   “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples, which the Coalition parties have used as a political football for years, is facing close to $3 million in funding cuts. That is close to $3 million in funding cuts to initiatives that directly relate to our Pasifika wellbeing.   “Pasifika...

Posted at May 28, 2026 3:03 PM by Teanau Tuiono