A huge leap in Special Needs Grants show that more and more New Zealanders cannot afford the basics of life, the Green Party said today. Figures released from the Ministry of Social Development late yesterday show that in the last year there has been a 46.4 percent increase in Special Needs Grants payments, which people apply for to pay for things including emergency housing and food. The total amount of hardship assistance provided by the Government has increased 27.4 percent...

Education Minister Hekia Parata needs to come clean with Kiwi parents about exactly how many state schools are using seclusion rooms, if any, and how long she’s known about them, the Green Party said today While responding to Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty during Question Time today, the Minister admitted that eight special schools are currently using seclusion rooms, and that the Ministry is currently surveying all state schools to see how many are also currently using them. “Hekia Parata...

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...