Record low global dairy prices mean the Government needs to start coming up with new ideas, the Green Party said. “We urgently need to start looking at alternatives to dairy and new ways of adding value to our exports, or else farmers and the whole economy will continue to feel the squeeze from low global dairy prices,” Green Party primary industries spokesperson Eugenie Sage said. “We cannot continue doing more of the same. We need to be adding value not...

The Green Party is calling on John Key to develop a clear plan to reduce New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions, following US President Barack Obama’s announcement of a plan to drastically cut emissions from the US energy sector. “It’s great to see President Obama showing real leadership with a plan to act on climate change. The New Zealand Government also needs to develop a plan to ensure we do our fair share in the global effort to prevent climate change,”...

It is disappointing the New Zealand Government has failed to achieve real progress on human rights during its term so far including a month as President of the Security Council, said the Green Party today.

The Salvation Army’s Hard Times report into homelessness in West Auckland shows an urgent need for more emergency accommodation in the area, as well as increased financial assistance from Government for our most vulnerable people, the Green Party said today. “This piece of work shows just how grim the situation is for people sleeping rough in West Auckland and, no doubt, in other areas of our country too,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei. “It’s also clear that community organisations...

The Green Party is challenging the Government to back a Te Reo Māori language month. “Te Reo is a living language, cherished by many New Zealanders Pākehā and Māori alike. Supporting a month of awareness is just one small step John Key could take to promote genuine pride and understanding of our indigenous language,” Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said. “We have New Zealand Music Month, so why not Māori Language Month? “It is disappointing to hear a teenage girl...

Tim Groser should not let his personal stake in the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations supersede the best interests of the New Zealand public, said the Green Party today.

The Green Party is calling on the Government to show leadership and work with the Southland community to develop an economic plan for a post-Tiwai Point aluminium smelter world. “It’s a relief for Southlanders that the smelter will stay open for the time being, but everyone knows that it won’t be there forever and we need a proper plan for a post-Tiwai Southland economy,” Green Party energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes said. “As long as New Zealand doesn’t have a clear...

The Government should come clean about what concessions it has already made and what issues have been left on the TPP negotiating table, the Green Party said today. “The Government has purposefully left New Zealanders in the dark during the TPP negotiations because they know that Kiwis will baulk when they find how much we’re set to lose if it goes ahead,” said Green Party trade spokesperson Dr Russel Norman. “With the negotiations stalled, it’s an opportunity for Tim Groser...

With the lack of a formal document on climate change from New Zealand’s term as President of the Security Council, the Global Community has lost a critical opportunity to do the right thing on climate change, said the Green Party today.

This morning’s story about Lamar Aspinall contracting rheumatic fever from living in a cold, mouldy rental home is yet another reminder of why we urgently need a Government-regulated rental housing Warrant of Fitness, the Green Party said today. “Two things are very clear: firstly, this issue isn’t going away any time soon and, secondly, the Government’s half-baked measures will do nowhere near enough to stop Kiwi kids gets getting sick,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei. “Kids like Lamar Aspinall,...