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...

The National Government’s failure to fix the Auckland housing crisis continues to keep interest rates higher than they need to be, meaning families and businesses face higher than necessary costs of borrowing, the Green Party said today. The Reserve Bank today left the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25 percent despite economic conditions that favour lowering the rate, citing risks to the economy from high house prices and a lack of housing supply. “National’s failure to fix the Auckland housing...

Will he now use his power under section 32 of the Public Health and Disability Act 2000 to direct Capital and Coast District Health Board to initiate the transitional support plan for Ashley Peacock, which recommends a pathway to a community placement, immediately; if not, why not?

The National Government has been caught spending billions of dollars of public money on motorway projects without measuring the impacts these major infrastructure investments will have on the climate, the Green Party said today. Information received under the Official Information Act shows that the Government has done no analysis on the likely impacts its $30 billion spend on transport infrastructure will have on climate pollution. “The National Government is pumping billions of dollars of public money into motorways without a...