Government-owned Landcorp’s decision to sell a further 10 farms, totalling 11,650 hectares, is a short-sighted decision that could see valuable farmland go into offshore hands, the Green Party said today. “We need local farms to remain in local hands,” said Green Party land information spokesperson Eugenie Sage. “Fertile land is one of the building blocks of our economy and the basis of a productive primary sector. New Zealanders will miss out on the benefits of owning our production base if these...

The Minister for Social Development needs to issue a full universal apology to those abused while in state care, and immediately set up an independent body to resolve historic and current complaints of abuse and neglect, the Green Party said today. More than 1100 people abused in state care as children submitted to the Confidential Listening Service, headed by Judge Carolyn Henwood, which recommended that an independent body be set up to hold the state to account. Minister for Social...

The Bill extends default tenancy terms, gives tenants first right of refusal when their tenancy agreement is up for renewal, limits rent increases and enforces transparency around them, and restores 90-day notice periods when landlords want to sell properties. 453,000 homes were rented by New Zealanders at the 2013 census. “People who rent need stability so they can put down roots in their communities,” Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said. “Our home ownership rate is at the lowest level since...

The way our education system treats children with high learning needs requires an urgent overhaul, the Green Party said today. It’s been revealed that another special school, Sara Cohen School in Dunedin, is being investigated for the alleged mistreatment of its pupils. “Special schools, which are for our most high-need children, should have professionally trained and experienced staff, and the funding to match. Unfortunately, once again, this has proven not to be the case,” said Green Party education spokesperson Catherine...

The Green Party is calling on the National Government to negotiate any changes to the free trade agreement (FTA) with China with greater transparency than it showed with the TPPA, and not weaken the protection of our strategic assets. Talks to update the China FTA will start early next year and there is a risk the current National Government will give away too much, in return for greater access for our agricultural commodities. “Better access to Chinese markets is good...

A Government support package for earthquake-affected Wellington businesses is absolutely vital, the Green Party said today. More than 100 small and medium businesses are reportedly still affected by the earthquakes, with discussions ongoing between the Government and Wellington City Council around possible support measures. “Our city’s diverse small businesses are a key part of what makes it great and they need support to get through this,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw. “Wellington’s economic muscle might be the public sector...

Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill must not proceed as it fails to address the key barriers to the use of Māori land and is opposed by iwi Māori, the Green Party said today.

Children drinking a cup of fizzy or other sweetened drink a day shows ingrained habits undermine public health and that the National Government needs to tax sugar-sweetened drinks, the Green Party said today. Whanau Pakari, a study from Taranaki about overweight children, showed the median intake of sweet drinks is 250mls a day, while some children are drinking two litres daily of sugary drinks. “The Minister of Health needs to stand up for the health of all Kiwi kids, bring...

The Green Party is launching a plan today to help people struggling with student loans get into their first home. Green MP Gareth Hughes’s Student Loan Scheme First Home Repayment Diversion Bill was launched today, the latest in a series of Green Party policies to address the housing crisis. “Many young people are struggling to get a house deposit together and we want to make it easier and faster for them to get a foot in the door,” said Green...

A new Human Rights Commission campaign to recognise the impacts of domestic violence in the workplace can be immediately addressed by the Government by adopting Green Party MP Jan Logie’s member bill. The members’ bill, the Domestic Violence Victims’ Protection Bill, provides for domestic violence leave to support staff. The Warehouse and some Government agencies, like the GCSB, are proactively offering this as good employers. “Maintaining employment helps women by supporting their independence and keeping them linked into their community. ...