News

  • Green Party proposes business tax breaks for clean transport options

    The Green Party has today launched a suite of new policies that will dramatically increase the number of electric vehicles on New Zealand roads, save Kiwis money, and cut pollution. The Green Party’s new policies will remove fringe benefit tax from       electric vehicles provided by businesses for their staff, and       public transport passes provided by businesses to help staff get to and from work.   “Tax breaks for businesses who choose electric cars provide a major cash incentive to...
  • SIS breaks the law again IGIS finds

    A highly critical review of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (SIS) today shows the powers of New Zealand spy agencies need to be curbed and political oversight beefed up, the Green Party said today.
  • National scores a fail in economics as unemployment rises

    The extra 11,000 Kiwis now out of work as a result of National’s economic mismanagement shows the Government’s plan is not working for all New Zealanders, the Green Party says. The September quarter Labour Market Statistics show unemployment up to six percent, or 151,000 people, today. “The unemployment rate was 4.6% when the National Government came to power. Seven years under its watch has seen unemployment rise to 6.0%,” said Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw. “However you assess it, that’s...
  • Royal visit opportunity to pull out of fossil fuels

    The Green Party is calling on the Government to follow the lead of our future king and stop investing public money in fossil fuels. “This week’s visit by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall is an opportunity for the Government to hear the Prince’s views on the need for governments and businesses to divest from industries causing climate change, such as oil, coal, and gas,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw.   “The Green Party’s Bill, the Climate...
  • Green Party supports fair pay for DOC workers

    The Green Party is supporting Department of Conservation staff who have found themselves the victims of the Government’s cuts to DOC funding, and are taking industrial action this Conservation Week. “DOC staff are the victims of conservation funding cuts, just like the native species they protect,” said Green Party industrial relations spokesperson Denise Roche. “DOC staff have enormous skills and experience that they should be recognised for. Their work is essential to protecting our most treasured species, and ensuring that...
  • Government should back Kiwibank to drive down bank profits

    The Government should invest in Kiwibank so it can fully compete with the big Australian-owned banks that are draining their profits out of our economy, the Green Party said today. The big four Australian-owned banks made a record $4.5 billion combined after-tax profits in the 2015 financial year. “The Government should take action to keep more money in New Zealand and force the big Aussie banks to be more efficient, by investing in Kiwibank so it can compete properly,” Green...
  • Govt can help victims of domestic violence stay in work

    The Government should adopt Green Party MP Jan Logie’s Domestic Violence-Victims' Protection Bill after new figures showing that registrations for the Work & Income NZ family violence programme have increased nearly 50 percent from 2011. “Staying in employment is critical to reducing the effects of violence, and my Domestic Violence-Victims' Protection Bill would help that to happen,” Green Party social development spokesperson Jan Logie said. “I am pleased more victims are getting support through WINZ but more could be done...
  • Conservation Week celebrations empty without real commitment to conservation

    The National Government should use conservation week as a catalyst to reverse funding cuts to DoC, as evidence mounts that a lack of funding is threatening Kiwi and indigenous Northland forest, the Green Party said today. “The Government’s hands-off approach is damaging our wildlife and threatening the very existence of some of our most precious species, including the Kiwi who live in indigenous Northland forest,” said Green Party conservation spokesperson Kevin Hague. “Recent drone footage shows areas of Northland forest...
  • Green Party welcomes Marama Davidson to Parliament

    The Green Party today welcomes Auckland-based Marama Davidson as the Party’s newest MP and the fourth member of the party’s Māori caucus. Ms Davidson will take on the Māori Development, Social Housing, Human Rights and Pacific Peoples portfolios, following a small reshuffle in the wake of former Co-leader Russel Norman’s departure. Metiria Turei will now hold the National Intelligence and Security portfolio, as well as the Electoral portfolio. Kennedy Graham will take the Trade portfolio. Of Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa and...
  • Education Act review a farce

    The Government review of the Education Act is a farce that removes from the table anything that will involve spending more money, or challenging some of the most controversial policies of the National Government, the Green Party says. “It is impossible to have a genuine review of the Education Act if the Government has excluded all the most controversial aspects of its education reforms, including National Standards, Charter Schools, and the new undemocratic Education Council,” Green Party education spokesperson Catherine Delahunty...