The Salvation Army’s annual State of the Nation report shows just how urgent the need is for welfare reform and lifting the incomes of the thousands of New Zealanders who can’t afford to house and feed their families, the Green Party said today. The report highlighted a jump in the number of families needing food parcels to get by, as well as serious issues around youth unemployment, child poverty and housing. “Thousands of New Zealanders are living hand-to-mouth, in the...

The Green Party would like to acknowledge the Rt Hon Bill English, who announced his retirement from politics today. “On behalf of the Green Party, I’d like to acknowledge Bill English and his 27 years of public service,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw. “Mr English has held many roles during that time – constituent MP, party leader, minister and Prime Minister – and should be congratulated for both his commitment and perseverance. “Anybody who’s involved in politics is aware...

The Green Party is today confirming that two candidates – Marama Davidson and Julie Anne Genter – are in the running to be the next female Co-leader of the Party. Nominations for the contest closed on Friday. Votes will be cast by delegates, who are chosen by members. The winner will be announced on Sunday April 8. The timeline for the remainder of the contest is as follows: Sat Mar 3: Co-leader candidate session at Green Party policy conference in...

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are vital to protect important habitats and feeding areas for marine mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage wants to see more developed. Ms Sage has just returned from Antarctica where she was able to visit the Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area which came into effect on 1 December 2017. “The huge area protects a complex ecosystem with iconic species such as killer whales, Weddell seals, Emperor penguins, and krill which sustains...

New Zealand’s major surf breaks and the impacts of vehicles on beaches are receiving more attention from local authorities because of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 (NZCPS), new analysis released by Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage today shows. “Surfers can be grateful that protecting surf breaks is now something that councils consider in preparing plans and when resource consents are sought for development work such as dredging,” Ms Sage said. Under the Resource Management Act, the NZCPS guides local...

A new report shows New Zealand is continuing to lose its precious wetlands and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage says it will take years to turn the trend around. The Minister released the eighth national report under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance to mark World Wetlands Day today. “It will take a concerted and serious effort and years to change this trend. Our wetlands are the land’s kidneys capturing sediments and nutrients and slowly releasing water in drought...

The Green Party will have a new Female Co-leader by April 9, following the announcement today of an early special election for the position and a truncated campaign period of two months. The Female Co-leader position has been vacant since Metiria Turei’s resignation in August last year. Green Party Co-leaders are normally elected annually at the party’s AGM but the party executive has decided to bring the election forward in order to fill the vacancy sooner. “We are keen to...

Kia tau te rangimārie o te Rangi e tū nei o Papatūānuku e takoto nei o te Taiao e awhi nei ki runga i a tātou. Tīhei mauri ora!   Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko James Shaw tōku ingoa. Ko ahau te kaiārahi o Te Rōpū Kākāriki. Five years after the Velvet Revolution that made him President of Czechoslovakia and then the Czech Republic, the former dissident and poet Václav Havel, said that: “There are good reasons for suggesting that the...

The Green Party’s position on the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is unchanged, Co-leader James Shaw said today. “We recognise Trade Minister David Parker has made significant progress on some controversial provisions in the TPP, including investor-state dispute settlement, and we support those changes. However, we still don’t believe there are sufficient safeguards for people and the environment that would enable us to support the deal,” Mr Shaw said “Our position on trade and the TPP in particular...

The Green Party wishes to extend its warmest congratulations to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford on the news that they are expecting a child.  “This is wonderful news. On behalf of the Green Party, I’d like to congratulate Jacinda and Clarke, and wish them the very best for parenthood,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw. “That a woman can be the Prime Minister of New Zealand and choose to have a family while in office says...