Establishing a single point of access for schools and families to obtain learning support needs is a good idea, but need to be matched with increased funding for services, the Green Party said today. A new service delivery model, which would see an 0800 number, email, or online tool set up, was announced today by Education Minister Hekia Parata. The new model is limited to a pilot run for the Waiariki/Bay of Plenty region. “Far too many kids miss out...

Women around the country now have a much simplified pathway to being paid fairly following the Government’s acceptance of the Joint Working Group’s recommendations on equal pay, the Green Party said today. The Joint Working Group on the principles of equal pay – led by the NZ Council of Trade Unions, Business NZ, and Government representatives – submitted its recommendations to Cabinet earlier this year. “Women have been underpaid and undervalued for too long, and it’s about time the Government...

The Green Party is calling on the Government to rule out using Serco for their next public private-partnership (PPP) prison given its atrocious track record in New Zealand. The Government has just announced that the building of a 1,500 bed prison at Waikeria will be a PPP. This comes after their announcement last month of spending an additional $1 billion to house the growing prison population. “The most well-known prison PPP in New Zealand is with Serco, which has been...

The supposedly "business-friendly" National Government is out-of-step with the growing number of New Zealand companies that want stronger action on climate change, the Green Party said today. More than 50 businesses, leading New Zealanders, and non-governmental organisations today presented an open letter to Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett calling for action on the issue. The call comes just days after New Zealand’s climate policy was given the lowest ranking of ‘very poor’ in the international Climate Change Performance Index. “Major...

The Green Party supports the Government’s move to close temporarily shellfish and seaweed fisheries on the east coast of the South Island in the wake of last week’s Kaikōura earthquakes. “Closing the crayfish fishery for a month and paua and other shell fisheries for three months to investigate the impacts of the earthquake on them is sensible,” said Green Party primary industries spokesperson Eugenie Sage. “A one month temporary closure, however, is not nearly enough time for crayfish and paua...

Families of children with disabilities are struggling unnecessarily when Government support is only theoretically, but not practically, available, the Green Party said today. Child Poverty Action Group’s report out today Barriers to support – Uptake of the Child Disability Allowance in Otara found that many parents of children with disabilities are not currently receiving the Government Child Disability Allowance (CDA) available. “Families are struggling unnecessarily to ensure that kids get the care that they need, and Government systems should make...

An Education Select Committee inquiry report into learning needs for children with significant challenges has found large holes in the current system, but does not go far enough to address them, the Green Party said today.

Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei has today launched a progressive ownership plan to provide up to 10,000 new homes for lower-income Kiwis to own, and to empower community housing groups with new financing models to help fix the housing crisis.

Record numbers of New Zealanders reaching out for help   Record numbers of New Zealanders are reaching out for mental health help and the Government needs to ensure that services are properly prepared and resourced to assist people, the Green Party said today.   The annual report of the Office of the Director of Mental Health shows an increase from 143,060 people seeking help in 2011 to 162,222 people in 2015.   “More New Zealanders than ever are reaching out...

Green Party MP Barry Coates won the Sustainability Champion award at last night’s Sustainable Business Network Awards in Auckland. The awards recognise those who are working to create a more sustainable New Zealand. “I’m really grateful to receive this award. Creating a more sustainable world was a huge part of my life before I became an MP, and I am pleased to be continuing with that work in my new role too,” said Mr Coates. “It was great to see...