The Government has clearly signalled that tax cuts next year are more important than trying to fix the big issues we’re facing today, like the housing crisis, the Green Party said today. “This Government is more interested in getting re-elected than showing real leadership and vision for our country,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw. “Auckland is bursting at the seams – it desperately needs more houses and more investment in its infrastructure -- but this Budget offers neither of...

News that the only potential buyer for 348 state houses in Invercargill has pulled out of the deal is another blow to the Government’s flawed plan to rid itself of responsibility of state homes and their tenants, the Green Party said today. “The state-house sell-off has been a disaster from day one, and what’s happened in Invercargill is just another example of the Government’s sheer ineptness on this issue,” said Green Party social housing spokesperson Marama Davidson. “This risk now...

National has cut home insulation funding to its lowest ever level in Budget 2016, which will leave thousands of people shivering in their houses again this winter, the Green Party said today Budget 2016 allocates just $12 million this year for the Warm Up New Zealand programme this year and $4.5 million for the Healthy Homes programme, compared to $23.9 million for Home Insulation last year. “Over 2,000 families will miss out on getting a warmer, dryer, healthier home under...

Parents up and down the country will have to pay more for their child’s education, following the National Government’s surprise budget move to freeze funding for schools’ operational grants, the Green Party said today. “It is shocking that National is freezing funding for schools. Education should be at the top of any Government’s agenda,” said Green Party education spokesperson Catherine Delahunty.   “After the class sizes back-down a few years ago, it is surprising to see the Government again attacking school...

The Government’s visionless budget has failed to deliver the big solutions to the housing crisis and climate change New Zealanders want and instead is plastering over the cracks, says the Green Party. “This do nothing budget will leave a legacy of more poisoned rivers, more extinct wildlife, and a nation divided into those who own a home already, and those left further behind,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw. “National has been blindsided on housing. The Budget doesn’t respond at...

The Green Party is hoping National’s eighth budget today will address the great challenges of our time, and not just be another exercise in papering over the cracks in New Zealand society, economy and the environment. “After eight years of baby steps, we’re hoping Budget 2016 will take some big steps forwards towards a cleaner, fairer, more compassionate future,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw. “Eight years into John Key’s term, people are asking what exactly is National’s big vision...

26 May 2016   The 2016 Budget continues the National Government’s disgraceful underfunding of the Department of Conservation (DOC) and puts our precious flora and fauna at risk, the Green Party said today. Compared to last year’s Budget, DOC has been allocated nearly $40 million less, a cut of nearly nine percent. Compared to the last Labour budget’s DOC funding of $462 million (in real terms), this year’s budget is $32 million short. “Over the last eight years of National...

Paula Bennett’s announcement today that homeless New Zealanders will be offered up to $5000 to move out of Auckland is a sign of a Minister under enormous pressure, and a government that’s flailing over the housing crisis, the Green Party said today. “Paula Bennett has clearly just woken up to the fact that New Zealanders don’t want the Government to stand by and watch while thousands of Kiwi families live in cars, overcrowded garages, and on the streets,” said Green...

Tomorrow’s Budget needs to announce a new, transformative plan to fix the housing crisis, the Green Party said today. Finance Minister Bill English will deliver his eighth Budget tomorrow and it’s likely it will contain no significant new measures to address rampant speculation in the housing market or the lack of affordable homes being built. “We’re becoming one of the only countries in the world that makes it easier for people to buy their second, third, or fourth house instead...

Government underfunding of DoC has led to suspension bridges, viewing platforms, and other structures on our Great Walks becoming either unsafe or in serious need of repair, the Green Party says. Answers to written questions provided by the Minister of Conservation show that tracks, huts and other structures on some of New Zealand’s most important Great Walks are in a state of disrepair, as the department struggles with funding cuts under the National Government. “It’s a sign of the National...