The radical overhaul that is needed for kids in CYFS care to thrive should not include privatisation or abdicate government responsibility the Green Party said today   “The Rebstock Report acknowledges previous recommendations have not been implemented and tragically children’s safety has been compromised,” Green Party Social Development spokesperson Jan Logie said.   “We needed urgent action at CYFS years ago.    “I am pleased that the report is supporting a more child centred approach from Child, Youth, and Family...

The Green Party is pleased that its original Bill to include the Red Peak design as an option in the upcoming flag referendum has passed after being adopted by the Government.

The Green Party is calling on the Government to urgently bring forward funding for the City Rail Link, following the announcement that rail passenger patronage grew 23 percent in the year to August 2015. “Public transport patronage is up, cycling is up, road congestion is up, but the Government is letting Aucklanders down,” Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said. “Every day, thousands of Aucklanders on packed trains are calling out for the Government to stop delaying the City...

The Green Party is accusing Social Development Minister Anne Tolley of misleading Parliament after she repeatedly denied that the embattled prison operator Serco had visited youth justice facilities, when it can now be confirmed it had. It was revealed by 3News tonight that Serco staff had visited a youth justice facility in South Auckland, prior to the debacle over Serco’s management of Mount Eden Prison being made public. “The Green Party has repeatedly questioned Mrs Tolley about Serco visiting CYFS...

The Green Party welcomes the Government’s decision to adopt Green MP Gareth Hughes’ Bill to include the Red Peak design as an option in the upcoming flag referendum.   “My Bill was about giving New Zealanders a choice following the groundswell of support for the Red Peak design to be included as an option in the upcoming flag referendum, and I am pleased it is looking likely to be passed,” Green Party MP Gareth Hughes said.   “I’m proud that...

The Green Party will today ask Parliament to allow it to introduce a Bill offering New Zealanders the choice of the popular Red Peak flag as a fifth option in the upcoming flag referendum. Green Party MP Gareth Hughes will seek the leave of Parliament to introduce the New Zealand Flag Referendum Amendment Bill 2015 and put it at the top of the order paper. This requires the support of every MP in Parliament if it is to be successful....

The Green Party is calling on the Government to increase core agricultural science funding in light of potential mass layoffs at AgResearch, the Government’s largest Crown Research Institute. “We cannot have a high-performing agricultural economy if the essential natural science that underpins farming success is underfunded and the scientists are losing their jobs,” said Green Party primary industries spokesperson Eugenie Sage. “The latest round of up to 90 redundancies at AgResearch is part of a disturbing trend. Since 2010, 71 science...

The Green Party is calling on the Government to embrace low-carbon economic development opportunities, because economic growth from record migration and the runaway Auckland housing market is unsustainable. “High migration is part of National’s facade of economic prosperity – migration-driven economic activity is part of what’s hiding the fact that National’s economic policies are failing,” said Green Party finance spokesperson Julie Anne Genter. Statistics NZ has released monthly migration statistics that show a record net gain of 60,300 migrants in...

New information on Gloriavale Christian Community School shows that they are teaching a Victorian-era agenda of domestic servitude that should not be funded by the Government, the Green Party revealed today.

Revelations today that SkyCity is planning to sell a hotel that it is only able to build as part of the convention centre deal is the latest evidence that the public of New Zealand have been taken for a ride, the Green Party said. The Auckland City Council has this morning announced that consent has been granted to SkyCity for the building of a convention centre. SkyCity have said today that they are looking at options for future running and...