The Green Party is excited by the news that the Government is creating an ocean sanctuary at the Kermadecs and hope that more is to come. “We’re delighted the Government has picked up the Kermadec ocean sanctuary concept that has been in a Green private member's Bill drafted by Gareth Hughes several years ago,” said Green Party environment spokesperson Eugenie Sage. “The 620,000 square kilometre sanctuary just announced is great news for the seascapes, underwater volcanoes and diverse wildlife that...

The Government must not use the Rebstock review to justify their own irrational ideological obsession to privatise CYFS, the Green Party said today. “The ‘radical overhaul’ that the Minister has signalled after seven years in Government should not result in a free-for-all grab of core Government services,” Green Party women’s spokesperson Jan Logie said. “The Rebstock review is being used as a stalking horse for companies like Serco to get in and make profit out of some of the most...

It would be hypocritical of John Key to sign up to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to end extreme poverty around the world and stop climate change, if he does not actually implement those policies at home, said the Green Party today.

The National Government must listen to the overwhelming chorus of voices calling for them to come clean on exactly what’s in the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), including from people who support the deal, the Green Party said. A case is being heard in the High Court today about whether the Government must release secret analysis of the its TPPA negotiating position. “New Zealanders have said time and time again that they want the National Government to tell them exactly...

A proper Capital Gains Tax remains the most essential immediate option to fix the Auckland housing crisis, the Green Party said. Reserve Bank data released today shows that in the last year, 43 percent of mortgage lending has been for property investment while just 12 percent has been for first home buyers. “No solution to Auckland’s housing crisis is complete without a capital gains tax (exempting the family home),” Green Party finance spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said. “While National’s bright...

Statements by Trade Minister Tim Groser today suggest he has given up on securing a good deal for New Zealand dairy exports and may not even attend the next round of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) ministerial negotiations, the Green Party said. “Tim Groser has said that because what is on the table for dairy is ‘completely inadequate’, he probably won’t even attend the next round of ministerial negotiations. Why on Earth would he sign the deal if it’s inadequate?” Green...

The radical overhaul that is needed for kids in CYFS care to thrive should not include privatisation or abdicate government responsibility the Green Party said today   “The Rebstock Report acknowledges previous recommendations have not been implemented and tragically children’s safety has been compromised,” Green Party Social Development spokesperson Jan Logie said.   “We needed urgent action at CYFS years ago.    “I am pleased that the report is supporting a more child centred approach from Child, Youth, and Family...

The Green Party is pleased that its original Bill to include the Red Peak design as an option in the upcoming flag referendum has passed after being adopted by the Government.

The Green Party is calling on the Government to urgently bring forward funding for the City Rail Link, following the announcement that rail passenger patronage grew 23 percent in the year to August 2015. “Public transport patronage is up, cycling is up, road congestion is up, but the Government is letting Aucklanders down,” Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said. “Every day, thousands of Aucklanders on packed trains are calling out for the Government to stop delaying the City...

The Green Party is accusing Social Development Minister Anne Tolley of misleading Parliament after she repeatedly denied that the embattled prison operator Serco had visited youth justice facilities, when it can now be confirmed it had. It was revealed by 3News tonight that Serco staff had visited a youth justice facility in South Auckland, prior to the debacle over Serco’s management of Mount Eden Prison being made public. “The Green Party has repeatedly questioned Mrs Tolley about Serco visiting CYFS...