Radical changes to the school funding system have not been thought through and will ultimately mean less funding for schools, the Green Party said today. The Government has announced that the school decile system will be scrapped and replaced by a new predictive index which targets individual children at risk. “What this will ultimately mean in the long run is less money for schools who are working with communities with fewer resources”, said Green Party education spokesperson Catherine Delahunty. “The...

Today’s report from the Waitangi Tribunal is a wake-up call about National’s failure to tackle Māori overrepresentation in the justice system, the Green Party said today. The Tribunal found the Department of Corrections in breach of the Treaty principles of equity and active protection because of an insufficient focus on Māori  reoffending, and has recommended urgent reforms. “What we are seeing is more evidence of a Government which is content with doing the bare minimum. Today’s findings from the Tribunal should...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/91311264/naenae-church-demands-government-action-on-vacant-housing-nz-land

The Green Party has criticised the United States for acting unilaterally in its cruise missile attack on Shayrat airfield in Syria. That attack was launched following the reported use of chemical weapons against civilians in a town in northern Syria several days ago. “This hasty military action by the US, without consultation with other major powers, threatens global security,” said Green global affairs spokesperson Kennedy Graham. “We expect and deserve cooler heads than this from our global leaders. No wrong...

National’s failure to address the rising cost of living and lack of student support is hitting students hard in their back pocket, the Green Party said today. New data released by the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations shows that students are struggling to afford to pay for rent and basic necessities, particularly in Auckland. “National should be making it easier, not harder, to make ends meet while studying in New Zealand,” said Green Party tertiary spokesperson Gareth Hughes. “Access...

The Green Party says it's irresponsible of Paula Bennett to dismiss a tourist levy to help pay for infrastructure and conservation, when small communities are staring down the barrel of an extra 1 million visitor over the next five years. Tourism Minister Paula Bennett said she does not support a tax on tourists over the weekend. “The whole country benefits from tourism, but it's ratepayers in areas like the Mackenzie Country, West Coast, and the Queenstown-Lakes District who foot the...

The Green Party has today released its initial party list for the 2017 election – and it includes a mix of fresh new talent and experienced hands, Co-leader James Shaw said. The initial list has been put together by delegates and candidates who attended the Party’s February candidates’ conference. Delegates were able to put candidates through their paces and evaluate their performance. The initial list now goes to party members nationwide to vote on. The Green Party uses STV voting....

The Green Party has today announced that, in government, it will establish a contestable Public Interest Journalism Fund and restore Radio New Zealand’s (RNZ) frozen funding to inflation-adjusted 2008 levels. The $3 million annual fund will be available through Creative New Zealand to fund one-off journalism projects and ongoing salaries of specialist journalists. All funded content must be publicly available free of charge. Restoring RNZ funding to inflation adjusted levels will cost an additional $3.2 million a year. “There’s a...

The Green Party is welcoming the Government’s announcement that it will now further protect Māori land from forced sale under the Public Works Act, following pressure from Māori and the Green Party.

The record number of children in Child, Youth, and Family (CYF) care shows large problems in the social fabric of New Zealand, the Green Party said today. The number of children and young people in CYF custody has increased from 5,159 to 5,453, according to new figures released. “All of our children deserve a fair go. But the record number of kids in CYF care shows we are going the wrong way. CYF is having to pick up the pieces...