News

  • Wellington: Don’t ditch the trolley buses!

    Green Party MP Gareth Hughes made a final plea this morning to Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) to not replace Wellington’s iconic, pollution free trolley bus system with dirty diesel buses. Gareth Hughes spoke with GWRC councillors ahead of their vote today on Wellington’s public transport strategy. The strategy includes a decision about whether to replace Wellington’s 60 electric trolley buses with diesels. Last year GWRC decided to remove 60 trolley buses from the fleet by 2017. “Last year councillors...
  • Surplus gone, time to concentrate on serious economic issues

    National’s obsession with its nanosecond surplus has ended up being a lose-lose for New Zealand because it came at the price of fewer jobs and more pollution, the Green Party says. The Government’s Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update today forecast a $401 million government deficit, GDP growth slowing to 2.1%, and unemployment rising to 6.5%. This is a step backward from the Budget 2015 forecasts of a surplus, 3.2% GDP growth, and 5.1% unemployment. “National should have focused on...
  • A road is not a plan for a just transition from West Coast coal

    The West Coast region needs central government leadership to help it thrive in a post-coal world, not another road, the Green Party said today. Buller’s mayor has proposed building a new road through Kahurangi National Park to boost the region’s economic fortunes as the coal industry declines. “The Government must take responsibility for developing a just transition strategy away from coal for the West Coast’s economy rather than adopt an 1880s-style plan to bulldoze a new road through a treasured...
  • Consumers pay the price of broadband decision

    The Commerce Commission’s decision to raise the price of broadband internet will hit consumers in the pocket and is the legacy of National’s failed meddling in the Telecommunications Act in 2010, the Green Party said today. “Families and small businesses will suffer higher prices from this decision, while Chorus – the company that owns the old nationwide copper broadband network – and its private investors will cash in,” Green Party ICT spokesperson Gareth Hughes said. “New Zealand already has high...
  • Govt inaction on poverty killing kids

    The Government’s refusal to end child poverty is putting children lives at risk as a report reveals the rate that children are dying from conditions associated with poverty has skyrocketed in the past few years, the Green Party says. The Children’s Commissioner’s Child Poverty Monitor, out this morning, shows an additional 45,000 Kiwi kids have been forced into poverty in the past year alone, and that illness and death caused by poverty is on the rise particularly among Pacifika children.....
  • Government shows astonishing disregard for Paris agreement

    The National Government’s statement that it will not change New Zealand’s climate target and policies shows astonishing disregard for the Paris climate agreement and the global commitment to limiting warming to well below 2 degrees, the Green Party said today. Climate Change Minister Tim Groser this morning dismissed calls for New Zealand to increase its climate target, or to make serious changes now that will reduce our climate pollution. “It is astonishing to hear Government ministers say they’ve got no...
  • Green Party welcomes the Paris Agreement

    The Green Party has welcomed the Paris climate agreement saying New Zealand must now honour the commitment it made in Paris with action at home. “There’s no doubt this is an historic moment,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw, who is at the talks. “It’s not a perfect deal by any means and there are lots of details to work out but it’s frankly an incredible achievement.”   The Paris Agreement commits all the countries of the world – including...
  • Sexual violence services need more help - MPs

    A Committee of MPs from across Parliament has today called for better, and more sustainable funding for specialist sexual violence services after finding that current funding is not enough to keep people safe, the Green Party said today. The Social Services Select Committee reported back to Parliament today following the Green Party-initiated review of funding for specialist sexual violence social services. “That MPs from across Parliament were able to reach agreement on these wide ranging recommendations means there is huge potential...