Federated Mountain Club’s withdrawal from the Land and Water Forum shows how Environment Minister Nick Smith’s water policy is dissolving around him, the Green Party said today. Environmental groups have been abandoning the Land and Water Forum (LAWF); Fish and Game left last year, while Forest and Bird left just three days ago. “The Forum is supposed to represent all those with an interest in water in this country, from industry to environmentalists. But the balance is tipped too much...

  National needs to clear the backlog of people waiting for cochlear implants and fund the programme properly, the Green Party said today. A story last night revealed that more than 200 people are waiting for this crucial surgery and highlighted the plight of Levin-based surf lifesaver Danielle, who may completely lose her hearing without an urgent implant.   “Everyone who needs a cochlear implant should be funded to receive one; it’s just that simple,” said Green Party disability issues...

Unaffordable housing is pushing teachers out of Auckland, with grim consequences for schools and students, the Green Party said today. Information released to the Green Party by the Ministry of Education shows the number of teachers leaving Auckland rose from 255 in 2015 to 390 in 2016, and principals and teachers are seriously concerned about the issue. “Teachers work hard and are so important to their communities, they need to be able to afford a home of their own in...

The Green Party has today entered a Member’s Bill into the ballot that would make local government representation more equitable by ensuring that the establishment of both Māori and general wards on district and regional councils follows the same legal process.

The Green Party is calling for cross-party support for its Members’ Bill that would introduce mandatory country of origin labelling for meat, fruit, vegetables and nuts, after the release of a poll that shows more than 70 percent of New Zealanders support the idea.

Unanimous support for Jan Logie’s bill to protect victims of domestic violence is a win for women on International Women’s Day, the Green Party said today. Jan Logie’s bill, the Domestic Violence Victims' Protection Bill, will give victims 10 days' paid leave to help them move house, attend court hearings and consult with lawyers. The Bill was passed to Select Committee stage this evening. “I am delighted that every MP at Parliament supported domestic violence victims today,” Green Party women’s spokesperson...

The Green Party is calling on the Government to do something meaningful for the women of New Zealand this International Women’s Day, by picking up a Member’s Bill on pay transparency that’s currently in the ballot.

A Green government would immediately halt Simon Bridges’ eye-wateringly expensive motorway expansion between Warkworth and Wellsford and redirect funding to high-value projects like rail to Mount Roskill or the North Shore, the Green Party said today. Government answers to written questions show the Warkworth to Wellsford motorway is now estimated to cost between $1.4 and $1.9 billion with a Benefit Cost Ratio of 0.25. When it was originally proposed in 2009 the 24km motorway extension was expected to cost $494...

Paula Bennett’s first speech as Minister for Women was underwhelming and will not change things for New Zealand women, the Green Party said today.

Forest and Bird walking out of the Land and Water Forum (the Forum) is yet another sign that Nick Smith's river rebranding exercise has done more harm than good for freshwater in New Zealand, the Green Party said today. Forest and Bird announced today it would withdraw from the Forum because the Government's proposed freshwater standards largely ignore the consensus recommendation of the Forum. "Instead of unifying New Zealanders around protecting our rivers and lakes, Nick Smith's water policy risks...