Minister for Land Information, Eugenie Sage announced Budget 2019 funding for a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) which will help save lives and drive innovation, alongside Minister for Transport, Phil Twyford. “I’m pleased to announce that the Government, alongside Australia, is investing in world leading technology to vastly improve the accuracy of GPS in New Zealand enabling faster and safer helicopter rescues and innovation in a range of emerging technologies,” says Eugenie Sage. “Budget 2019 set aside nearly $2m ($1.99) for...

Allowing people to enroll to vote on voting day improves democracy, says Green Party Electoral Issues spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman.   “The only reason given for not supporting these changes is that National are worried it will help other parties.  National is admitting it wants to stop people voting in order to help their own political position.   “New Zealand has one of the strongest democracies in the world and it is important that everyone has access to it. We’ve seen...

Budget spending to ensure New Zealanders can enrol to vote on Election Day will strengthen democracy in Aotearoa, Green Party Electoral Issues spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman said today. “We’ve seen overseas, particularly in places likes the United States, where voting is discouraged in an effort to maintain the status quo. “Here in New Zealand, I’m proud that we instead actively encourage participation in our election and broader democracy. “The higher the engagement in elections the stronger our democracy. “At the last...

The Green Party welcomes substantive work soon to begin on the family reunification review in time for a potential budget bid for family reunification in 2020, says Green Party Immigration spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman. “As part of our Confidence and Supply Agreement, we secured a review of the family reunification scheme for refugees. “I am happy to see that on World Refugee Day, that the Government is committed to completing this review in time for a potential budget bid in 2020,...

It’s sad to see a young girl be excluded from competing for her school rugby team in this day and age, says Green Party Sports and Recreation spokesperson Marama Davidson. “We need to leave these attitudes in the past. Especially with kids. Briar is an accomplished player who has been playing club and representative rugby since she was 5 years old “It’s pretty clear that the organisers’ attitudes weren’t motivated by a concern for her safety. She has already played...

From 1 July, family violence agencies and social services practitioners will be able to share information to better respond to family violence. Today the Government released Sharing information safely: Guidance on sharing personal information under the Family Violence Act 2018. This guidance supports the family violence sector to implement new information sharing provisions in the Family Violence Act 2018. “Sharing information safely will help protect people from harm and promote more consistent responses to family violence,” said Jan Logie, Under-Secretary to...

The Government is taking action to expand and strengthen the protection for Māui and Hector’s dolphins with an updated plan to deal with threats to these native marine mammals. Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and Minister of Fisheries Stuart Nash today released proposals for consultation for a revised Threat Management Plan to protect the Hector’s and Māui dolphins.  “These precious dolphins are New Zealand taonga. We need to act now to ensure their populations increase and both species thrive,” says...

Minster of Conservation Eugenie Sage has commended the work of the Department of Conservation’s Kākāpō Recovery team as it battles a deadly disease threatening to devastate the kākāpō population.

The Green Party welcome the PPTA, NZEI and Government coming to agreement on a new offer for teachers and principals, set to be ratified by union members.   “After months of meaningful negotiation, we’re proud Unions have a new offer on the table for teachers from the Government, which members are set to ratify,” Green Party Education spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick said today.    “The Greens will continue to listen with open ears as this goes through ratification.    “Teachers have...

The Green Party welcomes the re-opening of the Napier-Wairoa railway line announced today, said Green Party MP Gareth Hughes.   “The Greens are committed to regional rail, which should be the backbone of our transport system for people and freight.    “The Greens are pleased to be part of a Government that is upholding our commitment to restoring our railways in the regions.   “The restoration of this like will provide a huge boost to the local economy, it will...