Yesterday’s extreme weather, which caused chaos with Wellington’s transport network, will become more commonplace as climate change worsens, and shows the need for urgent Government leadership to prepare for climate change, the Green Party said today. “Scientists warn we will see heavier rainfall and more intense storms and droughts because of climate change, and the Government has a responsibility to assist communities to prepare and adapt,” Green Party Wellington issues spokesperson Gareth Hughes said. “The Government needs to show leadership...

Urgent action is needed to make the 100% Pure New Zealand slogan authentic, following the revamp of Tourism New Zealand’s marketing campaign with more emphasis on the natural environment, the Green Party said today. “New Zealand’s clean, green image is a major drawcard for tourists but the Government’s inaction on the environment means we run the risk of irreparable damage to the tourism brand,” Green Party tourism spokesperson James Shaw said. “Tourism Minister John Key says 100% Pure is just...

John Key’s lack of oversight of our spy agencies has once again made them the subject of an inquiry by the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) into their political spying.

The Office of Auditor General’s (OAG) decision to not investigate Katherine Rich’s potential conflict on the board of the Health Promotion Agency (HPA) has revealed glaring holes in accountability over political appointments to Government agencies, the Green Party says.

The Government needs to stop living in denial about the impact of non-resident foreign speculators on the Auckland housing market and start legislating to help New Zealanders own their own homes, the Green Party said today. “The Reserve Bank yesterday announced that it will use the limited tools at its disposal to try to dampen the impact of domestic investors, but it doesn’t have the means to stop non-resident foreign buyers from continuing to cash in on Auckland’s overcooked housing...

The Government should listen to forest owners and fix their climate change policies, which are driving trees to be cut down rather than planted, meaning New Zealand’s polluting greenhouse gas emissions will increase says the Green Party.

The Reserve Bank is being forced into acting on the Auckland housing crisis because the Government is refusing to, the Green Party said today. 

The Environment Court’s decision to allow regional councils to have a say in the use of genetically modified organisms gives communities an extra level of protection from GE crops entering their regions, the Green Party said today. The Court decided yesterday in favour of Northland Regional Council that councils are able to make provisions for the control of GMOs through their regional policy statements and plans. “Communities such as Hawke’s Bay and Northland are recognising the benefits of remaining GE-free...

New Zealand women today are earning just $22 a week more than the national average weekly earnings in 1970, the Green Party has revealed. “It feels like we’re stuck in a bad episode of Mad Men ­­­­­­– Kiwi women aren’t getting paid what they deserve and we’ve got a long way to go until we reach pay equity,” said Green Party spokesperson for women Jan Logie. “Adjusted for inflation, New Zealanders were earning $770 a week in 1970; in Q1...

Today’s release of the Government’s financial position shows that the National Government is likely to present a Budget next week that disappoints New Zealanders and fails to present any vision for the New Zealand economy, the Green Party said. “With yet another Budget deficit on the way next week, it’s clear that John Key and Bill English are not the responsible and prudent fiscal managers that they’ve pretended to be,” Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman said. “National had the opportunity...