The Green Party has reiterated its commitment to universal te reo Māori in schools, following National’s education announcement yesterday. “It’s good that National is open to Kiwi kids learning a second language and te reo Māori should be at the front of the queue. We want a more ambitious plan for te reo Māori in schools, and the Green Party will make that happen in government,” said Māori development spokesperson Marama Davidson. “Te reo Māori is one of the official...

The Green Party announced today that in government it will work with councils to retain the passenger rail service between Palmerston North and Wellington and increase the number of daily services. Horizons and Greater Wellington Regional Councils have presented a business case to political party leaders seeking $3.2 million from government, over three years, to retain the Capital Connection service while investigations are made to upgrade to a multi-trip service in 2021/22. “While National was content keeping the Capital Connection...

The record-high annual suicide statistics released today shows why the Government must urgently initiate a nationwide mental health inquiry, the Green Party said today. The provisional statistics found 606 Kiwis took their own life in 2016-17 year, which is the highest number of suicide deaths since provisional statistics were first recorded by the Coroner’s Office in 2007/08. “The number of Kiwis who are tragically taking their own lives reflects the failings in our broken mental health system,” Green Party health...

The Green Party today announced a progressive plan to protect our oceans and the places we love with a ban on plastic bags, refunds on drink containers, a phase-out of plastic packaging, and a commitment to sending zero waste to landfill by 2050. The Green Party’s plan will: Enable “cash for containers” drinking container refund programmes nationwide. Put in place an immediate 20 cent charge on single use plastic bags, with 15 cents going to community groups for environmental clean-ups...

The Green Party announced today it will seek to pass binding climate change legislation in the first 100 days in Government.  Green Party leader James Shaw made the commitment to a Zero Carbon Act on Newshub’s The Nation debate this morning. “If we are to treat climate change like our generation’s nuclear free moment, we need to back that up in law”, said Green Party leader James Shaw. “Successive governments have allowed New Zealand’s climate pollution to keep growing. Only...

The Green Party says that the National Government's decision to send more soldiers to Afghanistan is a mistake. The Government has announced today that they will send three non-combat troops to Afghanistan, following President Trump’s announcement this week that he would immediately beef up the United States’ military presence there. “We do not believe that any more Kiwi troops should be sent into danger in Afghanistan, and a Green Government would bring them back” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw....

Greens announce light rail for the Capital in a decade   The Green Party today announced a plan to work with councils to deliver light rail from the railway station to Wellington airport by 2027 and fast track a fully-electric bus fleet for the city.   The Green Party’s transport plan for Wellington includes commitments to work with councils to: ·         Build an electric light rail line, running separate from traffic, from the railway station to...

The Green Party strongly condemns the National government’s refusal to ban mining on conservation land which is forcing people to face arrest. About 30 people gathered at Mt Karangahake on Coromandel Peninsula this morning to protest against mining in the conservation area and one person was arrested. It follows a number of arrests at protests at the site in past weeks. “People are being forced to take a stand and put themselves in harm’s way to protect this beautiful conservation...

The Green Party would oppose any deployment of combat troops to Afghanistan, following President Trump’s announcement on Tuesday that he would immediately beef up the United States’ military presence there. The Government has indicated today that they will make a decision on sending some NZDF personnel before the election on September 23.

A bigger surplus will allow a new government to manage the economy responsibly while making the changes people know are needed, like lifting kids out of poverty, cleaning up our rivers, solving the housing crisis, and tackling climate change, the Green Party said today. The Pre-Election Fiscal Update (PREFU) released today shows stronger growth in the short term, resulting in a higher than forecast surplus for the government this year by $2.1 billion. However, forecast productivity growth remains weak and...