The Green Party is reiterating its call for Health Minister Jonathan Coleman to urgently undertake an inquiry into mental health services, or risk more people needlessly suffering and dying because of inadequate care and oversight. The call comes after the release of a damning ombudsman’s report into the treatment of Ashley Peacock, and after the mother of Wellington man Samuel Fischer has spoken out about issues with the care her son received from Capital and Coast District Health Board leading...

National’s decision to veto Labour’s paid parental leave Bill today is another example of the Government choosing to make excuses instead of doing what’s right for families, the Green Party said. The Bill had enough support from other parties in Parliament to become law and extend paid parental leave from 18 weeks to 26 weeks. “The Government should be doing what’s right for babies, parents, and families because that’s what’s right for the whole country, but National is full of...

Today’s GDP numbers fail to capture the increasing numbers of families sleeping in cars and declining water quality in our rivers and lakes, the Green Party said today. Gross domestic product (GDP) statistics released today by Statistics New Zealand show that the economy grew by 0.7 percent in the March 2016 quarter, but only grew 0.1 percent when population increases were accounted for. “Once increasing population pressures are factored in, the economy grew by just 0.1 percent this quarter,” said...

The Government must learn from its mistakes with the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), not repeat them with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal, the Green Party said today. RCEP is a proposed trade agreement between 14 Asian countries, Australia, and New Zealand. Negotiations were held in Auckland this week. These included a public engagement session at which Trade Minister Todd McClay and officials heard questions and concerns from organisations and business stakeholders. “Comments from the Government suggest...

The Government’s continued undermining of Te Puea Marae is disgraceful, and does a disservice to the homeless people who are being helped by the marae, the Green Party said today. “The Government has spent more time undermining Te Puea Marae than supporting its exceptional work in helping the homeless. Paula Bennett’s office leak is the worst example of this underhanded and unnecessary behaviour,” said Green Party social housing spokesperson Marama Davidson. “The fact is, Te Puea Marae has made the...

The Green Party is joining with youth, justice and disability groups in calling on the National Government to raise the age of youth justice to include 17-year-olds today, and help improve the lives of thousands of young people. A Government Bill before the House today will consider changes to the Child Youth and Family Act and has the ability to raise the age of youth justice from 16 to 17-year-olds. “Allowing 17-year-olds to be included in the youth justice system...

Refugees in New Zealand need more Government support to help them make a good life for their family, not judgemental political dog-whistling, the Green Party said today. “The Government has the ability to substantially increase support services for refugees in New Zealand to help them with language learning, employment and social integration,” said Green Party immigration spokesperson Denise Roche. “Increased support from the Government and community groups will help refugees adapt to the Kiwi way of life – not forcing them to...

Monday's announcement that National will put off a 250-place increase in the refugee quota until 2018 is another example of this Government’s commitment to only doing the bare minimum to help people in desperate need, the Green Party said. The Green Party supported this year’s 20,000 strong petition to increase the quota and funding for refugees in New Zealand. The Greens also have a Member’s Bill in the ballot which would double the amount of refugees that we welcome to...

The Green Party's thoughts are with the people of Orlando, as we offer our sympathy to the families and friends of those who have been killed and injured in yesterday’s attack. "We are thinking about the people who have been caught up in this attack, and offer our heartfelt sympathies to those still waiting to hear about loved ones who may have been hurt," said Green Party Global Affairs spokesperson Kennedy Graham. "Our condolences go out to the families and...

The New Zealand Government should take controversial and outdated Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions off the table in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade negotiations in Auckland this week, the Green Party said today. Trade Minister Todd McClay has been reported as saying that RCEP should include ISDS provisions, which allow foreign corporations to sue governments in secretive extra-judicial tribunals. “ISDS rules that allow foreign corporations to sue governments have no place in 21st century trade deals,” Green...