An independent review into the mental health system in Wellington following five homicides has found serious failings, and highlights the need for a nationwide mental health inquiry, the Green Party said today. “The serious issues with Wellington mental health services should not be ignored, and neither should the problems that are plaguing our mental health system throughout the country,” said Green Party health spokesperson Julie Anne Genter. “We have heard countless stories of people not getting the help that they...

Attempting to salvage the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is a bad idea, the Green Party said today. “Bill English’s statement that he’ll attempt a TPPA-style trade deal without the US glosses over how difficult that would be in practice and why it’s not a good idea anyway,” Green Party trade spokesperson Barry Coates said. “The TPPA is an old-fashioned trade deal and instead of trying to salvage it we should be looking for new ways to make trade agreements...

The National Government has once again shown it’s more interested in plundering the environment than protecting it, the Green Party said today. The comments come on the back of news that the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will challenge an Environment Court ruling that allows regional councils to use the Resource Management Act (RMA) to put limited controls on fishing to provide for marine protection. “National appears determined to stop local communities protecting their own big blue backyard. Obviously National...

The extreme weather around New Zealand is a sign of things to come if action isn't taken by governments to halt the climate crisis, the Green Party said today. On Wednesday, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared 2016 as the hottest recorded year on earth, surpassing 2015 and 2014 as the previous hottest years. “The extremely dry conditions Northlanders are facing right now, and the storms that are rolling through the upper South and lower North Islands, mirror...

Bill English could use the opportunity of trade negotiations with the European Union (EU) to push for a new type of trade agreement that promotes sustainable economic development and helps create an economy that works for all New Zealanders, the Green Party said today. “This is an opportunity for a new type of trade agreement, negotiated in a transparent and democratic way, that puts people, jobs, and the environment ahead of multinational corporations,” Green Party trade spokesperson Barry Coates said....

For the first time Labour and the Green Party are holding a joint State of the Nation event. Labour Leader Andrew Little and Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei will speak about their priorities for the year in Auckland on Sunday 29 January. The leaders will discuss the social and economic challenges and opportunities facing the country and present a vision of the stable, responsible, alternative the parties will offer New Zealand. Details Labour/Green Party State of the Nation event When:...

This year is our chance to turn the tide on growing inequality in New Zealand with a change of government, the Green Party said today. A report released this afternoon by Oxfam outlines the growing inequality gap around the world, and coincides with the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos. Oxfam New Zealand has released analysis of this afternoon’s report that shows two New Zealanders have more wealth than the poorest 30 per cent of the adult population. “This...

Finance Minister Steven Joyce is failing to show any moral or political leadership by continuing to allow Government-owned funds to invest New Zealanders’ money in some of the world’s most polluting companies, the Green Party said today. Radio New Zealand reported this morning that the New Zealand Superfund has $77 million invested in 47 coal companies that the Norwegian Government’s Pension Fund – the largest sovereign fund in the world – has blacklisted. “The National Government signed the Paris Agreement...

Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter will be standing in the Mount Albert by-election to be held on 25 February, said the Green Party today. Well-known for her strong advocacy of the City Rail Link and ways to cut congestion in Auckland, Ms Genter said she was looking forward to a positive campaign with the Labour Party candidate, with a focus on policies that will make Auckland fairer and greener. “New Zealanders have a big choice to make in 2017, to stick...

The Green Party is deeply saddened by the passing of Archbishop William Brown Turei ONZM (Ngāti Porou), who served as the Bishop of Aotearoa – the Tikanga Māori Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in New Zealand, Aotearoa and Polynesia.