The Green Party is supporting Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) staff who are taking industrial action today. “It’s no wonder the Minister of MBIE is failing in his goal to raise wages, productivity, and exports when the people in MBIE,who are supposed to be making it happen, are themselves overworked, underpaid, and insecure,” said Green Party industrial relations spokesperson Denise Roche. “There is something sick about the culture of a Ministry that can waste $140,000 on a TV...

Northland forests are disappearing under National’s watch as a direct result of their long-term conservation budget cuts, the Green Party said today. The National Government has cut $376 million from the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) budget in real terms over the last seven years. DOC has 16 percent less in real terms this year compared to 2008 to fight the pests and predators that are destroying New Zealand’s natural heritage. “National’s cuts to conservation are quietly killing our native forests,”...

The Green Party has today launched a suite of new policies that will dramatically increase the number of electric vehicles on New Zealand roads, save Kiwis money, and cut pollution. The Green Party’s new policies will remove fringe benefit tax from       electric vehicles provided by businesses for their staff, and       public transport passes provided by businesses to help staff get to and from work.   “Tax breaks for businesses who choose electric cars provide a major cash incentive to...

A highly critical review of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (SIS) today shows the powers of New Zealand spy agencies need to be curbed and political oversight beefed up, the Green Party said today.

The extra 11,000 Kiwis now out of work as a result of National’s economic mismanagement shows the Government’s plan is not working for all New Zealanders, the Green Party says. The September quarter Labour Market Statistics show unemployment up to six percent, or 151,000 people, today. “The unemployment rate was 4.6% when the National Government came to power. Seven years under its watch has seen unemployment rise to 6.0%,” said Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw. “However you assess it, that’s...

The Green Party is calling on the Government to follow the lead of our future king and stop investing public money in fossil fuels. “This week’s visit by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall is an opportunity for the Government to hear the Prince’s views on the need for governments and businesses to divest from industries causing climate change, such as oil, coal, and gas,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw.   “The Green Party’s Bill, the Climate...

The Green Party is supporting Department of Conservation staff who have found themselves the victims of the Government’s cuts to DOC funding, and are taking industrial action this Conservation Week. “DOC staff are the victims of conservation funding cuts, just like the native species they protect,” said Green Party industrial relations spokesperson Denise Roche. “DOC staff have enormous skills and experience that they should be recognised for. Their work is essential to protecting our most treasured species, and ensuring that...

The Government should invest in Kiwibank so it can fully compete with the big Australian-owned banks that are draining their profits out of our economy, the Green Party said today. The big four Australian-owned banks made a record $4.5 billion combined after-tax profits in the 2015 financial year. “The Government should take action to keep more money in New Zealand and force the big Aussie banks to be more efficient, by investing in Kiwibank so it can compete properly,” Green...

The Government should adopt Green Party MP Jan Logie’s Domestic Violence-Victims' Protection Bill after new figures showing that registrations for the Work & Income NZ family violence programme have increased nearly 50 percent from 2011. “Staying in employment is critical to reducing the effects of violence, and my Domestic Violence-Victims' Protection Bill would help that to happen,” Green Party social development spokesperson Jan Logie said. “I am pleased more victims are getting support through WINZ but more could be done...

The National Government should use conservation week as a catalyst to reverse funding cuts to DoC, as evidence mounts that a lack of funding is threatening Kiwi and indigenous Northland forest, the Green Party said today. “The Government’s hands-off approach is damaging our wildlife and threatening the very existence of some of our most precious species, including the Kiwi who live in indigenous Northland forest,” said Green Party conservation spokesperson Kevin Hague. “Recent drone footage shows areas of Northland forest...