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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The Government’s opening of consultation over definitions of Genetically Modified Organisms needs to be paid close attention to ensure that New Zealand’s clean, green, and GE-free brand is protected, and the health and safety of people and animals is also protected, the Green Party said today. “The Government is finally acknowledging a 2014 High Court case that showed that their definitions of new technologies for risk assessments was wrong,” Green Party genetic engineering spokesperson Steffan Browning said. “Tidying up the definition of...