The Government’s soft plastics recycling scheme, announced today, won’t address the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans as effectively as a charge on single-use plastic bags, the Green Party said. “This is a token measure from a government that’s more interested in ‘green wash’ than saving our oceans and marine life,” said Green Party waste spokesperson Denise Roche. “We launched a Member’s Bill this week to introduce a charge on single-use plastic bags in order to reduce pollution and...

National needs to be straight-up with farmers and make it clear that business-as-usual farming can’t continue if we are to maintain a safe climate for this and future generations, the Green Party said today. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) released a new report today on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions showing that no scientific silver bullet to eliminate agricultural emissions is on the horizon, and that large-scale tree planting and land-use change is needed. “National isn't doing farmers any...

The Green Party welcomes the New Zealand Superannuation Fund’s new climate change investment strategy, which highlights how some of the world’s smartest investors are moving out of fossil fuels, even while the National Government continues to back them. The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation announced a new approach to investing its $31.4 billion of assets — one that will take into account the significant risks and opportunities climate change has for long-term returns. “The Super Fund has accepted the fact...

Changing the age of care for young people in state care up to 21 is a good step, but will need better financial resourcing to work, the Green Party said today. Young people will soon have increased levels of support available past the age of 17 under new Child, Youth, and Family (CYF) reforms that the Government has announced today. The age of care is being increased for young people in state care to 21 years old, with transition support...

The record-high provisional annual suicide statistics released today by the Chief Coroner shows why the Government should urgently initiate a nationwide mental health inquiry, the Green Party said today. 579 people died by suicide in the 2015/16 year, which is the highest number of suicide deaths since provisional statistics were first recorded by the Coroner’s Office in 2007/08. “The number of Kiwis who are tragically taking their own lives reflects the failings in our mental health system,” Green Party health...

The Government and Auckland Council should revoke the controversial Special Housing Area (SHA) at Ihumātao in Māngere, in light of new archaeological evidence which highlights the site’s cultural significance, the Green Party said today.

It’s absurd that the Justice Minister is pretending that packing more people into overcrowded prisons is a strategic solution, when she should be trying to address the reasons why increasing numbers of Kiwis are being incarcerated, the Green Party said today. Minister Collins has this morning issued a press release announcing increased “double bunking” and growing the size of our prisons to meet the out of control demand that her Government has helped created. “Hearing Minister Collins’ comments about squeezing...

   

The Green Party supports the call for the Government to set up an independent tribunal that families can use to appeal schools' disciplinary actions. Just a week after reports that kids with learning support needs have been locked in a seclusion room, YouthLaw has today released a report showing that a large number of New Zealand kids are being pressured out of school in a way which is inconsistent with the Education Act. “Hekia Parata’s hands-off attitude is letting kids...

The Minister of Education could end the seclusion of school children in small, dark rooms today if she wanted to, rather than leaving the welfare of those children in the hands of an Ombudsman’s review, the Green Party said today. The Ombudsman and Children’s Commissioner today announced they will be investigating the use of seclusion rooms in schools, following reports that more than two schools have used them. “The hands-off attitude displayed by Hekia Parata is letting children be locked...