Paula Bennett’s comment that some people have fewer human rights than others is deeply concerning and reflects the National Government’s backward approach to drugs, the Green Party said today. “National are proving once again that they are out of touch, out of date, and out of time to do anything that will actually help us to reduce violence and drug addiction,” said Green Party leader James Shaw. “Human rights are not something you can take away from people because it...

The Green Party in Government will revitalise rail across the country, including repairing the Napier-Gisborne line. The announcement came today in Gisborne from two Green MPs, transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter and local candidate Gareth Hughes. “National has let regional rail lines rust away but the Greens in government will restore rail as the backbone of New Zealand’s transport system, for freight and for people,” said Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter. “There are huge benefits to moving more...

A draft Ministry for the Environment (MfE) report on climate change, shows a grim picture for low-lying coastal areas in New Zealand.

Low-income New Zealanders are struggling to keep warm this winter, the Green Party said today. A new report by Statistics New Zealand revealed that around one in three New Zealand households are experiencing some form of energy hardship. “It’s disgraceful that almost one in three New Zealand households are having to keep the heater turned off because they can’t afford to pay the electricity bill,” said Green Party social housing spokesperson Marama Davidson. “20 Kiwi kids are dying every year...

The Green Party today announced a plan to prioritise improving inclusive education services so that every Kiwi kid gets to fully participate in school life. In government, the Green Party will increase education funding by $315 million over three years to build a more inclusive education system. The Green Party will: Properly fund a full-time Children’s Champion for every 400 children to coordinate support for children with high needs (currently called a Special Education Needs Co-ordinator), costing $70 million over...

The Green Party applauds Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s decision today to finally end the Ruataniwha Dam fiasco, which has seen $14 million of local ratepayers' money wasted on a potential white elephant. “The proposed Ruataniwha dam was a bad idea from start to finish,” said Green Party water spokesperson Eugenie Sage. “The Green Party has been calling for this dam to be shelved for years. It’s about time the environment and our rivers were put ahead of the interests of...

National’s refusal to ensure our houses are warm, safe and dry is putting our kids’ health at risk, the Green Party said today. An investigation by the New Zealand Herald revealed today that 20 Kiwi kids die from preventable respiratory illnesses caused by cold, damp housing every year. “Kids are dying because they’re living in cold, damp housing. We need to fix this now,” said Green Party social housing spokesperson Marama Davidson. “National’s repeated refusal to put in a mandatory...

The Green Party in government will send a New Zealand Navy vessel to the Southern Ocean, to ensure Japan adheres to international law when it resumes whaling early next year. The pledge comes on the heels of the Green Party’s announcement yesterday that it will establish New Zealand’s largest marine mammal sanctuary in the South Taranaki Bight. “It’s our moral obligation to stand up to Japan and show that we will not stand idly by while vessels from that country...

National’s parental leave policy is a last minute U-turn that still leaves tens of thousands of new parents and babies without support, the Green Party today. Today Bill English announced the Government’s support for 22 weeks paid parental leave, after vetoing Labour MP Sue Moroney’s bill proposing 26 weeks leave last year. “It’s high time that New Zealand families got better support to raise kids, but this new policy still leaves thousands of families without financial help when their children...

The Green Party today announced that, in government, it will create New Zealand’s largest marine mammal sanctuary, to protect a blue whale feeding ground off the South Taranaki coast from destructive activities, including seabed iron sands mining. Green Party leader James Shaw made the announcement together with Ngāti Ruanui on a beach near Patea, Taranaki, where people formed a human chain to show their opposition to a recently granted seabed mining permit off the coast. “Critically endangered blue whales are...