Nick Smith’s rebranding of dirty rivers as clean has conveniently left out diseases that account for a third of all illnesses New Zealanders can catch from swimming in dirty rivers, the Green Party said today. “Nick Smith’s redefinition of water quality not only pulls the wool over New Zealanders’ eyes but it’s disingenuous because it leaves out key information,” says Green Party water spokesperson Catherine Delahunty. The proposed new grades for rivers ignore the risk of getting cryptosporidium, giardia, salmonella,...

New Zealanders who want swimmable lakes and rivers have been let down by the Government’s freshwater announcement today, which does nothing but shift the goalposts, the Green Party said. In an announcement expected to require stronger standards for freshwater bodies, the Environment Minister Nick Smith has simply re-labelled the standards, so that what was once only safe for wading is now to be considered safe for swimming. “The Environment Minister thinks he can pull a fast one on New Zealanders by...

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 housing crisis. “This is the kind of affordable house-building project that could and should be happening all over New Zealand, not just in the capital – but we need central government leadership to get the scale of building needed to really make a difference nationwide,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw. “On Wellington City Council, the...

The Government’s social bond plan to allow foreign companies to profit off mentally ill New Zealanders will put already vulnerable people at further risk, the Green Party said today. The National Government today announced that the first social bond to get people with mental illness into work has been launched. “Social bonds are a continuation of the Government’s attempt to privatise public services, which will always see the most vulnerable left out and National’s mates better off,” said Green Party...

National is not taking seriously its responsibility to protect future generations and eliminate climate-damaging pollution, despite its high-profile commitment last year to the Paris Climate agreement, the Green Party said today. Information obtained by the Green Party shows neither Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett nor Energy Minister Judith Collins sought advice about the impact on climate change of opening up huge reserves of gas hydrate off the East Coast. “Ministers Bennett and Collins have chosen to stick their heads in...

A temporary hold on deportations of nine Indian students is a step in the right direction but the Government urgently needs to implement safeguards to stop further injustices to more international students, the Green Party said today. Immigration NZ has indicated that deportation orders will not be served till February 22 while it considers a request for the students to leave voluntarily. The students India-based education agents used fake documents to secure their study visas in New Zealand, and hundreds...

The Green Parties of Australia and New Zealand are jointly calling for leadership from Prime Ministers Turnbull and English on the fate of refugees detained on Manus and Nauru Islands. The two Prime Ministers are meeting in Queenstown today. Prime Minister Turnbull struck a deal in late 2016 with President Obama for America to resettle 1250 refugees from Manus Island and Nauru, but the fate of this agreement under President Trump is unclear. “It is time that our Prime Ministers...

The Green Party would look at extending the electric rail line and commuter trains north of Waikanae to improve access to Wellington and relieve congestion around Ōtaki and Levin, instead of building more monster motorways. Transport Minister Simon Bridges mooted the idea yesterday of extending the already $2 billion Wellington Northern Corridor motorway north of Otaki ­– an area which already suffers from severe car and truck congestion. “We need to look at all the options to relieve congestion in...

The closure of the iconic Cadbury chocolate factory is a tragedy for Dunedin and local manufacturing, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said today. Three-hundred and fifty people will lose their jobs as a result of the closure of the Cadbury chocolate factory, which has been in Dunedin since 1884. “Our hearts go out to the hundreds of people and their families who are facing redundancy today,” said Mrs Turei. “The chocolate factory in Dunedin has survived major economic ups and...

The Green Party is today expressing its sympathy and support to people who have lost their homes and have been affected by the Christchurch fires. The Green Party also wants to acknowledge the incredible emergency service personnel, firefighters, helicopter pilots, Police, Defence Force, Christchurch City and Selwyn District Councils, Civil Defence staff and volunteers working around-the-clock to control the fires. "Christchurch has been through so much in the last decade, and it’s heart-breaking to see people experiencing trauma and loss all...