The Green Party is celebrating significant changes to the Misuse of Drugs Act that will ensure police treat drug addiction like the health issue it is. "Today we’ve passed the most transformative change in drug law in New Zealand in over 30 years", Green Party spokesperson on drug law reform Chlöe Swarbrick said. "We’re living up to the rhetoric as a country that implements evidence-based policy, and one that prioritises compassion. "Informed by the real-world practice of police, working across...

The Green Party has welcomed today’s First Reading of the Electoral Amendment Bill, which will strengthen participatory democracy in New Zealand. The Green Party will be working to strengthen the Bill as it proceeds through the House.  “Changes outlined in the bill are very welcome, particularly the addition of Election Day enrolment and increasing the number of places where New Zealanders can cast their vote. We know this will reduce barriers to people who are more likely to change addresses,...

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage and the New Zealand Conservation Authority have directed the Department of Conservation (DOC) to undertake partial reviews of the Conservation General Policy and the General Policy for National Parks, to give better effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The direction is in response to the recent Supreme Court decision in Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, a case which examined the way DOC considered Treaty principles when it granted two commercial tour concessions on Rangitoto and...

The Government is set on restoring the dawn chorus and giving nature more of a helping hand, Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and Associate Minister for the Environment Nanaia Mahuta said today as they launched a new action plan for biodiversity in Wellington this morning. Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage launched Te Koiroa O Te Koiora – Our shared vision for living with nature, for all New Zealanders to help shape our biodiversity strategy for the next 20 years.  “New Zealand, like...

The Green Party has committed to prioritising support for New Zealanders who rent at their Annual Conference in Dunedin today. Co-leader Marama Davidson announced that the Green Party is ready to negotiate its rent-to-own policy as part of the Government’s Kiwibuild reset, reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act, and a mandatory Warrant of Fitness to enforce proper standards for rental homes. “Everyone deserves a warm, safe and healthy home to live in, and the Government has a role to provide...

Climate Change Minister James Shaw has today released the Government’s Climate Action Plan in response to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into the low emissions economy. “Our Government is committed to a just and rapid transition to a low emissions economy, because it’s vital that we play our part looking after our planet. We’re already taking action on many of the Productivity Commission’s recommendations. Climate change is an urgent issue requiring an urgent response, to ensure a stable climate for future...

Government, Iwi and a community organisation have banded together to turn around the fortunes of the nationally endangered hoiho/yellow-eyed penguin, which recently suffered a series of poor breeding seasons. At the annual hoiho/yellow-eyed penguin symposium in Dunedin today, the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage announced Te Kaweka Takohaka mō te Hoiho/Yellow-eyed Penguin Recovery Strategy. It is a draft strategy to restore hoiho populations in the face of pressures from human activities, climate change, and predators alongside a supporting action plan....

A comprehensive review of the Resource Management Act are both well overdue and welcomed by the Green Party.    Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said:   “A comprehensive review and overhaul of our resource management law will ensure that we prioritise the environment and protect quality of life, create liveable cities and protect nature for present and future generations”, Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said today.   “We need an RMA which ensures that our towns and cities foster strong...

The Green Party support the mana whenua of Ihumātao and their right to peacefully protect their land, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said today. “It is very sad that it has come to this, with police moving in to trespass people from their land. This is a continuation of colonisation and unjust land confiscation. “The mana whenua of Ihumātao have been maintaining a watchful presence on their land for the last four year years. They have planted gardens, shared knowledge...

The latest Safety of Children in Care report shows the current processes of the state are not keeping tamariki safe, says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.   “This affirms what people have been saying for a long time, that the state is not a suitable caregiver for tamariki. The current processes for keeping children are simply not working and are causing harm.   “The statistics for tamariki Māori in particular are appalling.   “I have spoken directly to children and...