Articles by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Calls for fisheries amendment bill to be dropped completely

The Green Party is welcoming the Government's backdown on the Fisheries Amendment Bill, but says the Bill needs to be scrapped completely, not just delayed.“The Government may be at war with nature in their plans to privatise our oceans, conservation land and waterways, but people are pushing back and winning,” says Green Party Co-leader and Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick. Fisheries Minister Shane Jones today confirmed he would delay the Bill until after the election.   “This is the same...

Posted at July 08, 2026 4:14 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Green Party calls on Parliament to get on with solar loans before election

With Labour today announcing their support for a version of the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme, the Green Party is calling on Parliament to pass legislation to make it happen before the House rises for election 2026."Parliament can lower New Zealanders' power bills and reduce emissions before the election kicks off. Now both the red team and the blue team have announced their support for the Ratepayer Assistance scheme, there's no reason we can't progress on a cross-partisan agreement to do this...

Posted at July 08, 2026 11:40 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

People and nature first in Greens’ rivers and oceans policy

The Green Party is calling foul on the Luxon Government’s dismantling of environmental protection, announcing a policy programme to deliver clean drinking water, swimmable rivers and beaches, and healthy oceans for all New Zealanders.“This is about protecting our taiao. The Green Party has announced its policy programme ‘Drink Swim Fish’ which will deliver far reaching environmental change and protect human and ecological health from harm caused by corporate greed,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson. “Clean, healthy water is a human right,...

Posted at July 06, 2026 1:45 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson

services and systems

Private emails with lobbyists in Luxon's Ministerial offices are potentially a systemic problem

The Ombudsman has confirmed the Prime Minister's Office unreasonably withheld secret briefings, and the Green Party has obtained a new OIA showing the same private email problem in other Ministers' offices, suggesting a potentially systemic problem across Government.“New Zealanders have the right to know who is influencing political decision making, and how,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.   “Regular people do not get to exchange secret emails with the Prime Minister's top officials, getting the law ultimately changed in their favour....

Posted at July 01, 2026 1:55 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

people and communities

Greens commit to tax the super-rich and large corporates fairly, cut income tax for 96%

The Green Party has announced their 2026 tax policy ‘a tax system for all of us’ today. Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says, “All New Zealanders deserve the opportunity to thrive. Today we are proud to announce a tax policy that will tackle inequality and corporate greed to rebuild our country and put more money in the pockets of 96% of New Zealanders.” “People aren’t dumb. They know that while their cost of living has gone through the roof, corporate profits...

Posted at June 21, 2026 1:10 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson

Parliamentary Budget Office clearly needed ahead of election

The Green Party has written to the National and Labour finance spokespeople urging support for an independent Parliamentary Budget Office to cost political commitments and lift the standard of public debate. “Over the past few weeks we've watched parties fight over the costings of each other's promises, leaving voters guessing whose numbers are right, instead of having an informed debate on the merits of the policy,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  "A Parliamentary Budget Office would serve the public interest by giving people an independent,...

Posted at June 16, 2026 4:14 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

NZ Rich Listers own as much wealth as half the country

The richest 150 New Zealand individuals and family dynasties now own as much between them as half of the country, the Green Party says.According to the National Business Review’s report today, assets held by New Zealand’s super rich have increased 26.35% in a single year, from $102.1b to $129b. “One hundred and fifty people and dynasties recorded a $27 billion increase in their wealth as homelessness reached a record high and a third of families suffer food insecurity. These things are connected,” says Green...

Posted at June 15, 2026 4:12 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

Treasury confirms $5 billion bill for Luxon's climate inaction

Treasury has put a price tag on Luxon's Government's climate inaction, with new analysis showing it could cost up to $5 billion to buy the offshore carbon credits needed to meet New Zealand's 2030 climate target.“Every time Christopher Luxon has cut climate action here at home, he has increased the bill we need to pay other countries to reduce their emissions,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “The Government keeps saying they will meet the Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement....

Posted at June 11, 2026 4:09 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

Luxon’s Government commits to billion-dollar gas terminal with no plan to pay for it – which means you will

Luxon’s Government has committed to building a billion-dollar LNG import terminal without knowing how to pay for it.“Luxon’s Government has finally admitted New Zealanders don’t want to pay for their ridiculous LNG terminal, but by pressing ahead without any idea on how to fund it, New Zealanders remain on the hook to pay for this billion-dollar nonsense,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “These self-proclaimed ‘economic managers’ want to sign our country up to a billion-dollar contract and work out who pays for it...

Posted at June 09, 2026 3:55 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

Calls for Ombudsman to open wider investigation into private back-channel emails in Luxon's office

The Green Party is calling for a fulsome investigation into the use of private email in the Prime Minister's Office, after an answer to a written parliamentary question exhaustively listed staff private email – except for the Fonterra and Z Energy climate lobbying document sent to Luxon's former staffer.“Something fishy is going on in the Prime Ministers’ office when lobbyist documents that miraculously end up as Government law change after being handled by his Chief Policy Advisor manage to somehow disappear from the public record,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “We know this was at least partially possible...

Posted at June 09, 2026 3:51 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

Budget 2026 hides a nearly $500 million KiwiSaver hole across the public service

The Green Party says Budget 2026 leaves a hole of nearly half a billion dollars, the cost of the higher employer KiwiSaver contribution for most of the public service, with no sign of funding anywhere in the books to meet it.“Nicola Willis has a hole of nearly $500 million in her Budget that she has left unfunded,” says Green Party Co-leader and finance spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick.  “The Government lifted employer KiwiSaver contributions in Budget 2025, which was the right thing to do. What wasn’t right was leaving that unfunded, meaning Nicola...

Posted at June 08, 2026 3:47 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Chlöe Swarbrick Budget speech 2026

Mr Speaker, the Greens want every New Zealander to feel proud of our country.  Not just for our history; for granting women the vote, standing against the United States for a nuclear free Pacific and splitting the atom. We want New Zealanders to feel proud of the country they live in today.  We want New Zealanders to be able to swim in their rivers.   To be able to grow food in healthy soil.   To catch abundant fish from the ocean to...

Posted at May 28, 2026 6:52 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Budget 2026 confirms Luxon’s climate ‘plan’ is a trashfire

Budget 2026 confirms the Government has no plan to meet our commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement, at a cost that previously Treasury calculated as up to $23 billion due by 2030. "New Zealanders have experienced 21 States of Emergency this year, which even the Prime Minister has acknowledged are inflamed by climate change. Yet, his Government continues to pour fossil fuels on the fire," says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “We have all known for years that meeting the Paris Agreement, covering 2021 to 2030, will require offshore mitigation. Every bit of domestic action reduced increases the cost...

Posted at May 28, 2026 2:36 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Luxon quietly borrows $1.4 billion more to hide climate failure

The Green Party has revealed Luxon's failed climate policies have created a $1.4 billion fiscal hole, after the Government's retreat on climate caused the carbon auctions to collapse and the cash it was banking on never arrived.“Nicola Willis and Christopher Luxon lecture New Zealanders about fiscal responsibility and the dangers of debt while actively tanking climate policy, costing us all at least $1.4billion more in debt,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. “This fiscal hole is entirely self-inflicted, with carbon...

Posted at May 27, 2026 12:56 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

democracy and international relations

Luxon’s Government found breaching trade agreements again

Today’s report from Lawyers for Climate Action shows that Luxon’s handouts to fossil fuel companies likely breach New Zealand’s trade agreement with the United Kingdom, undermining our international reputation and trade relationships."A business wouldn’t get away with the spin and breaches of agreement Luxon’s Government does," says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  "The findings that this Government’s subsidisation of fossil fuel corporations likely breaches our UK Free Trade Agreement and undermine our EU FTA build on Green-commissioned independent, expert legal advice that the Government’s fossil fuel subsidies also breach the Agreement...

Posted at May 26, 2026 10:36 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

NZ democracy at risk of corporate corruption - Green Party backs urgent inquiry

Allegations that the Prime Minister’s office withheld information about backroom lobbying by major climate polluters - ahead of legislating to prevent court action against those same corporations - must be investigated, says the Green Party.“The facts are that major polluters had a meeting with the Prime Minister and that the full extent of that meeting and the briefings provided by Fonterra and Z Energy were not disclosed, intentionally or otherwise, by the Prime Minister’s office,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe...

Posted at May 25, 2026 9:15 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Luxon confirms criminalisation of those he’s made homeless

Luxon’s decision to provide Police with the power to issue move-on orders to homeless people as young as 14 will have disastrous consequences for our country and our most vulnerable, says the Green Party. “Christopher Luxon has chosen to make more people homeless, and now he’s criminalising them for being homeless,” says Green Party Co-leader and Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick. “It costs $200,000 a year to chuck someone in prison, for worse and worse outcomes. The Government refuses to spend...

Posted at May 14, 2026 3:17 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

democracy and international relations

Luxon chooses to join the anti-migrant bandwagon

The Prime Minister's pre-Budget speech today confirms a Government that has chosen to scapegoat migrants and shield corporate profit while New Zealanders struggle to pay the bills, says the Green Party."Christopher Luxon has made his choice. Blame migrants for the problems of the world in order to protect corporate profits driving the cost-of-living crisis," says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.   "Luxon talked about the patterns playing out around the world right now, highlighting far-right anti-immigration fear mongering. He very intentionally side-stepped the...

Posted at May 13, 2026 3:09 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Luxon protects polluters’ profits in sweeping, rushed climate change law amendment

The Government’s surprise announcement this morning to amend the Climate Change Response Act is yet another example of Luxon loosening the leash for corporate profits at the expense of our people and our planet, the Green Party says.“Luxon’s Government is using its dying breaths to unravel New Zealanders’ right to hold big polluters accountable,” says the Green Party Co-leader and Climate Change spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick.   “While New Zealanders are demanding affordable power bills and decent jobs, Luxon’s Government has decided to...

Posted at May 12, 2026 12:32 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Greens call on Government to act on power bills before winter

The Green Party is calling on the Government to use every tool they have as shareholding Ministers of the major gentailers to bring power bills down before winter, after new data shows tens of thousands more households can't afford to keep warm."No New Zealander should be left in the cold and dark this winter while the Government's own power companies are banking record profits," says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  In a letter to both Ministers, Swarbrick sets out the steps the Government can take immediately to keep...

Posted at May 11, 2026 12:13 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick and Scott Willis

nature and climate

Luxon missing in action as climate costs pile up

The Green Party says today's National Climate Change Risk Assessment from the Climate Change Commission confirms Luxon's failure to act on climate is driving up the cost of living for New Zealanders.“Luxon likes to talk about preparing New Zealand for a rainy day. The Commission is clear that he is refusing to invest in an umbrella,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.   “This independent, expert assessment shows that Luxon's climate adaptation 'plans' are mere window dressing.”  “The numbers are sobering: 97 per cent of...

Posted at May 07, 2026 12:42 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Cost of living driven by fossil fuels and power price hikes

The Green Party says new Stats NZ data shows a 2.1% increase in household living costs is driven by out of control fossil fuel and power prices, and is hitting lower income people the hardest.  “The Green Party will continue working for practical, common-sense solutions to bring down the cost of living for ordinary people,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.   “The Greens have called on the Government to lower power bills by up to $1000 a year by making it easier to put solar panels on homes. We have proposed free, expanded...

Posted at May 01, 2026 11:52 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Soaring power prices show urgent need for electrification

The Green Party says today's inflation figures show power prices are once again a key driver of the cost-of-living crisis, and reinforce calls for a National Electrification Plan."Stats NZ has today confirmed what households are feeling, with the cost of keeping the lights spiralling out of control," says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.    "Electricity rose 12.5 percent in the year to March, four times the overall rate of inflation, and for the third quarter in a row power has been...

Posted at April 21, 2026 11:49 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Luxon's Government cut flood protection spending while extreme weather worsens

This Government has cut flood protection spending by 41 per cent compared to the last Government, even as climate-change-charged extreme weather events become more frequent and severe."Luxon's Government gets up after each extreme weather event to talk about much they're spending on flood protection - spending that they've almost halved in comparison to the last Government," says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.   Documents OIA'd by the Green Party confirm Budget 2020 committed $217 million, Budget 2023 committed $122.9 million, and $647.5 million for North...

Posted at April 20, 2026 11:26 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Greens’ State of the Planet calls for National Electrification Plan

The Green Party has used its 2026 State of the Planet address to set out a vision for a resilient, independent Aotearoa and to call on the Government to create a National Electrification Plan.Co-leader Marama Davidson spoke about the middle-east crisis, the case for an independent, principled foreign policy, and the Green Party’s consistent stance on getting off fossil fuels.  "What is happening in the Middle East is first and foremost a human catastrophe. Civilians are being killed and injured. Livelihoods are being destroyed. International law...

Posted at April 19, 2026 4:04 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson

Ensure every New Zealander is housed and safe ahead of Cyclone Vaianu

The Green Party is calling on the Government to ensure emergency housing is available to all people experiencing homelessness this weekend as Cyclone Vaianu approaches the North Island."Luxon is telling everyone to stock up and prepare to stick out this storm at home. What does that mean for the people he has made homeless?" says Green Party Co-leader and Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick. "The Government must choose to ensure everybody who needs it gets access to emergency housing this...

Posted at April 10, 2026 1:30 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Fossil fuel companies on notice for price gouging

The Green Party is calling on petrol companies to act quickly following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire that has caused the price of fuel to drop."Fuel companies moved quickly to increase their prices at the start of the conflict. With prices falling off the back of the ceasefire, they need to come down just as fast," says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  "New Zealanders watch petrol prices jump up overnight when global oil prices spike, but when they fall,...

Posted at April 08, 2026 2:26 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Fisheries Bill sacrifices the future of fishing for corporate profits

The Green Party is warning that the Government’s complete rewrite of the Fisheries Act will privatise one of our largest public assets and push fish stocks closer to wipe out.“The Fisheries Amendment Bill signs away insane industry power over our oceans and fisheries at the expense of regular New Zealanders and the environment that sustains us,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “New Zealanders pushed back hard last week, and the Minister was forced to abandon the removal of minimum fish size requirements for commercial operators, but the Government needs to gut the whole damn Bill.  “We cannot let Christopher Luxon and the National Party...

Posted at March 31, 2026 4:31 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Greens announce plan to end homelessness & fix housing crisis

The Green Party has announced today their new campaign A Home for Everybody, calling to end homelessness, fix renter’s rights, and end the housing crisis once and for all. “In a country like Aotearoa, with our wealth of resources and skills, there is no excuse for people to go without a decent home, let alone any home at all,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.  “In 2022, 46% of renting households spent more than 30% of their income on rent, compared to 19% of renters in 1988. Since 2003, house prices have increased by 230%, while the median household income...

Posted at March 26, 2026 9:17 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson

Government's fossil fuel relief package fails to meet the crisis

The Green Party says the Government's fossil fuel crisis relief package leaves too many New Zealanders behind. "The Luxon Government has turned its back on hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders, asking them to foot the bill for Trump's war on Iran," said Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.  Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says “the Government’s narrow tweaks to tax credits leaves behind the tens of thousands of people their economic plan has pushed out of work, only to then punish with new obligations and sanctions.  “So much for planning...

Posted at March 24, 2026 1:04 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson

Greens Offer Votes To National Party For Immediate Relief In Fossil Fuel Crisis

The Green Party is offering its votes to the National Party to get on with passing a sensible and urgent fossil fuel crisis relief package. With the Greens’ and National’s combined 63 votes, no other political party’s support is necessary.The Green’s proposed package includes: Making public transport free for users; A Relief Payment for low income people or people who live rurally to help meet additional transport costs; A Windfall Profits Tax to prevent corporate price gouging; Reversing changes to...

Posted at March 23, 2026 9:02 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson

Luxon chooses to punish the homeless after making more people homeless

The Green Party is imploring the Government to choose actual solutions to homelessness, after Ministers today announced the Government’s plan to effectively criminalise it.“Christopher Luxon’s Government chose to intentionally make homelessness worse, and now they’re criminalising the problem they have inflamed,” says Green Party Co-leader and Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick. “When the Government ignored its own official advice, community leaders, social services and expert warnings to cut off access to emergency housing and slash support for wrap-around services, communities...

Posted at February 22, 2026 11:28 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Infrastructure Plan Contradicts Government Own Spending Priorities

The newly released National Infrastructure Plan stands in stark contrast to the Government's actual spending priorities, the Green Party says. "We welcome today's National Infrastructure Plan, which would take us in the opposite direction of the decisions of Luxon’s Government," said Chlöe Swarbrick, Green Party Co-Leader and Finance spokesperson.   “This Plan shows how we can and must invest in resilient critical infrastructure like hospitals and renewables. Yet Luxon’s Government continues to burn taxpayer money on inflaming the climate crisis and inducing congestion through the daft LNG terminal and roads at all costs.  "Treasury confirmed on Friday...

Posted at February 17, 2026 4:02 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Green Party anticipates the predictable claims of Prime Minister Luxon

The Green Party has correctly predicted the facts and data that would be needed to set the record straight on the Prime Ministers claims three days ahead of his State of the Nation speech today.Below is the media release and facts which detail the Green Party's correct predictions for what the Prime Minister would attempt to assert today. This information was sent to media on Friday 16th of January. "The Green Party has prepared some facts and data for journalists...

Posted at January 19, 2026 3:11 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

The real cost of Willis’ failed economic strategy: empty chairs at Christmas

The Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) shows Nicola Willis’ “year of growth” has not only totally failed to deliver but has come at a steep cost to regular New Zealanders.“Today confirmed what regular New Zealanders can already feel: Nicola’s ‘growth at all costs’ mentality is coming at their expense, with significant downward revisions in most economic indicators in the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU)” says Green Party Co-Leader and Finance spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick. “The HYEFU shows...

Posted at December 16, 2025 4:09 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Government’s ‘climate commitment’ mask finally comes off

In a watershed moment for climate accountability, newly released documents clearly show Luxon’s Government is comfortable knowingly breaching the Paris Agreement, signed up to by John Key 10 years ago.“For the past two years, we’ve raised alarm that the Government’s climate maths aren’t mathing. Today, we know that they’ve known that, and have been comfortable lying about it, for months,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. “Months ago, Cabinet made decisions to halve our methane target, informed that doing so...

Posted at December 04, 2025 10:31 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Luxon government backtrack on climate recognised at COP30

Aotearoa New Zealand has today been recognised internationally for all the wrong reasons, presented with the ‘Fossil of the Day’ mantle at COP30 over the Government’s regression on methane targets.“Christopher Luxon’s Government continues to embarrass our country on the international stage, this time after shredding climate progress,” says Green Co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick. “Climate targets are not just numbers on a page. They are the scientific fundamentals necessary for life on earth as we know it. “Staying within planetary limits needs...

Posted at November 18, 2025 11:09 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Luxon’s Government shreds climate consensus

Late last night, the Government announced some of the most significant sweeping changes in recent memory to destroy climate action.“Under the cover of night, Christopher Luxon’s Government announced their most significant destruction of climate action yet,” says Green Party Co-leader, Chlöe Swarbrick. “You cannot trust the National Party. They supported the cross-partisan Zero Carbon Act and now, in Government, are stripping the Climate Change Commission of its powers. “Christopher Luxon promised New Zealanders he would abide by our climate commitments....

Posted at November 05, 2025 9:26 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

te tiriti o waitangi

Sad day for democracy as RSB passes second reading

Despite a resounding majority of submitters opposing the Regulatory Standards Bill, Luxon’s Government has pushed it through second reading.“New Zealanders made it clear they don’t want this zombie Frankenstein of the Treaty Principles Bill. Today Christopher Luxon has chosen to ignore them,” says Green Party Co-leader, Chlöe Swarbrick. “Our country has real problems we could be fixing, but instead the Government is stroking the ACT Party’s ego by reviving and pushing through their vanity project which has failed three times...

Posted at November 04, 2025 4:37 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Greens renew call for evidence-based cannabis regulation

The Green Party has renewed its call for evidence-based cannabis regulation, on the fifth anniversary of a referendum in which the public voted only narrowly against legalisation.“Five years ago, 1.4 million New Zealanders voted on each side of the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Referendum. Today, the Greens continue to work for sensible, evidence-based regulation to reduce harm,” says Green Party Co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick. “Those who campaigned against legal regulation of cannabis could not defend the harm of criminal prohibition -...

Posted at October 29, 2025 11:18 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Greens respond to Labour’s CGT announcement

“Labour’s watered down Capital Gains Tax announcement today falls far short of meeting the needs of New Zealanders,” says the Green Party Co-Leader and Finance Spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick.“Our country isn’t working for working people. “Right now, the wealthiest pay half the effective tax rate of our nurses, teachers and firefighters. Labour’s announcement doesn’t even try to fix that. “In a year, the richest family in this country can make more money in their sleep, without lifting a finger, than Labour’s...

Posted at October 28, 2025 12:27 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Govt’s Climate Adaptation plan leaves work to be done

The Government’s National Adaptation Framework, released this morning, has a way to go when it comes to clarity for communities, support, and meaningful engagement with te Tiriti.“Climate change is here now. Government’s job is to reduce emissions at the source to prevent the worst, and ensure our communities are protected, prepared and resilient,” Chlöe Swarbrick. “Today the Government has announced a basic framework for data and information sharing, which the Greens have supported since Hon. James Shaw began this Climate...

Posted at October 16, 2025 10:51 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Govt’s downgrade of methane target an accounting trick with devastating real-world consequences

Luxon’s Government halving of methane targets under the guise of “no additional warming” is a cheap accounting trick that will cost our country dearly.“Today Christopher Luxon has downgraded climate ambition, meaning a higher cost of living and ultimately far worse outcomes for the farmers he says he’s doing this for,” says the Green Party Co-leader and Climate Change spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick. “Methane is a superheating gas - 80 times stronger at frying our atmosphere than carbon in the short-term. To...

Posted at October 14, 2025 9:32 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Govt’s ETS auction fails for the eighth time

Another Emissions Trading Scheme auction has failed, throwing the Government’s failure on climate into stark focus.“Ironically, the most effective climate policy under Luxon’s Government is their economic incompetence. Their decisions have seen successive ETS auctions fail, ultimately meaning units end up being cancelled,” says the Green Party Co-leader and Climate Change spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick. “This Government has slashed climate policies and promised we’ll somehow meet our climate targets by relying on market mechanisms, which their own advice tells them will...

Posted at September 10, 2025 2:37 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

OCR cut welcome for some while Govt leaves many behind

Poverty and homelessness continue to grow because of this Government’s decisions, despite the Reserve Bank’s move to lower the Official Cash Rate (OCR). “The Reserve Bank’s decision to lower interest rates today will be welcome news for some but won’t help the thousands this Government has pushed into homelessness and poverty,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Finance Chlöe Swarbrick.  “Monetary policy is a blunt instrument. It is fiscal policy - that is, the Government’s choices on tax and spend...

Posted at August 20, 2025 2:30 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

democracy and international relations

Govt’s empty words do nothing to stop genocide in Gaza

The Government’s announcement that it will “formally consider” Palestinian statehood in September simply continues to delay any meaningful action.“If the Government believes what it says about a two-state solution, it can and must recognise Palestine statehood, immediately,” says Green Party co-leader, Chlöe Swarbrick. “Palestinians cannot eat empty statements. “Aotearoa has a proud history of standing up for human rights and justice, even when powerful allies disagree. Most UN member states already recognise Palestine.  “The Greens put forward a motion in...

Posted at August 11, 2025 4:22 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Chlöe Swarbrick AGM Speech 2025

I want everyone to take a deep breath.I’m serious. I’ll do it with you. Hā ki roto. Hā ki waho. I’m sure this is exactly what our friends in the media think that we do at a Green Party conference. In case you missed it guys, the Morris dancing was last night. I’m joking. But back to the breath. In. Out. We’re here, together. Right now. We’re alive. There’s a lot going on in our world. Genocide. Exploitation. Harm and...

Posted at August 10, 2025 2:44 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Greens urge people to come together for change

Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has rallied the party membership to get out there, get organised, and help the party build the most progressive Government Aotearoa has ever seen.“When we show up and grow our movement beyond traditional circles, we win. The people win,” Chlöe Swarbrick told the Party’s Annual General Meeting in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington today. “New Zealanders care about each other and the planet we all share.  “We build the world we deserve not in speeches, or in...

Posted at August 10, 2025 2:40 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Greens demand Govt stops growing homelessness

The Green Party is calling on the Government to reverse its changes to emergency housing access as homelessness grows alongside public pressure.“Christopher Luxon has intentionally increased homelessness. With the crisis filling our streets, he must choose to stop growing the problem,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “Today, we have launched a petition calling on the Government to stop homelessness spiralling out of control, amplifying the demand in our communities for immediate, urgent, political action. “Rough sleeping is up 89%...

Posted at August 04, 2025 10:59 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Govt pours oil and gas on climate fire as ban repealed

Today, Christopher Luxon’s Government committed to higher power bills and fossil fuel dependence. This Government keeps choosing to undermine our resilience rather than transition to clean, green energy. It takes an average of 16 years to go from exploration to production of fossil fuels. The Government knows reversing the oil and gas ban won’t deliver anything in the short to medium term but ultimately means far greater emissions, and far higher costs. “Just a fortnight ago, Nelson-Tasman was hit with yet...

Posted at July 31, 2025 4:30 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Govt abandons Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance

Christopher Luxon’s Government pulling out of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance is just the latest sign they care little for the climate crisis or cost of living it’ll exacerbate, says the Green Party. “Luxon’s Government is throwing public money, oil, coal, and gas onto the climate crisis fire. Today they’ve told the world that they don’t care about a stable climate or regular peoples’ lives,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Climate Change, Chlöe Swarbrick.  “Yesterday, we revealed that...

Posted at June 25, 2025 10:40 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Govt’s $200mill fossil fuel handout in breach of trade agreement

Legal advice commissioned by the Green Party shows the coalition Government’s $200 million “investment” in new gas fields is a clear breach of the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS).“The National Party tell us they’re good economic managers then tank the economy; they tell us they’re committed to our climate commitments then breach those commitments,” says the Green Party Climate Change spokesperson and co-leader, Chlöe Swarbrick. “It took just six months for this Government to breach a trade...

Posted at June 24, 2025 11:25 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Greens show Willis’ fiscal straight-jacket is junk, validate case for strong public investment

The Green Party has released its fiscal strategy, demonstrating how we can and must invest in the real-world needs of our country, planet and people.“New Zealanders deserve a Government that actually governs our economy for the good of all of us. Unfortunately, what we have got at the moment is a Government fixated on self-made constraints while the real world crumbles around us,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Finance, Chlöe Swarbrick.  “Last month, our Green Budget showed that...

Posted at June 16, 2025 5:03 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Government rightfully sued over illegal climate ‘plan’

Last week, world-leading climate scientists called out the Government’s approach to agricultural emissions. This week, climate lawyers have sued the Government because its Emissions Reductions Plans do not add up.“Luxon’s Government has chosen to pour oil, coal and gas on the climate crisis fire. Their climate ‘plan’ is not worth the paper it is written on. That’s why they’re being sued today,” says the Green Party’s co-leader and spokesperson for climate change, Chlöe Swarbrick.  “I called it a demonstrable lie...

Posted at June 10, 2025 2:01 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Rich get much richer, driving inequality and poverty

The 2025 NBR Rich List makes immediately obvious the need for a fair tax system, says the Green Party. “The rich list is now worth more than one hundred billion dollars, while the Government has chosen to cut support to tens of thousands of the lowest income New Zealanders. It’s time to tax wealth, and build a country where all of us can thrive,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Finance and co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. “Poverty and homelessness doesn’t come from...

Posted at June 09, 2025 1:09 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Luxon must end climate denial speculation

The Greens welcome the open letter from world-leading climate scientists to the Prime Minister, urging his Government to abandon any plan to water down climate targets.“Christopher Luxon must end any further speculation that his Government is on the climate denial bandwagon. After wasting a year playing around with the mythical ‘no additional warming’ idea, international alarm bells are ringing,” says Green Party co-leader and Climate Change spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick. “The Climate Change Commission is clear that any entertainment of ‘no...

Posted at June 03, 2025 1:04 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Greens find over half-a-billion dollar hole in Govt Budget

The Green Party has found that the Government has not accounted for its own increased costs as an employer incurred by the KiwiSaver changes rushed through under Budget urgency last week.“There’s anywhere between $633 million to $714 million of costs to the Crown unaccounted for in the Government’s Budget, as a result of its rushed changes to KiwiSaver contribution rates,” says Green Co-Leader and Finance spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick. “The Finance Minister must have been aware of this, but despite incurring...

Posted at May 26, 2025 7:07 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Government pours gas on the climate crisis fire

Budget 2025 has put our climate targets in serious jeopardy, says the Green Party. “Today the Government has done even worse than deny or delay climate action - they’ve actively chosen to pour gas on the fire,” says Green Party Co-Leader and spokesperson for Climate, Chlöe Swarbrick.  “The Government is setting $200 million of our public money on fire to support fossil fuel executives' profit, handing a lifeline to a sunset industry, instead of investing in real, resilient, renewable energy. “They...

Posted at May 22, 2025 4:27 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Greens mark May Day with Green Jobs Guarantee

The Green Party has marked May Day with a pre-budget announcement in Tokoroa, detailing the party’s plan for a Green Jobs Guarantee. READ THE FULL POLICY DOC  “New Zealanders should be in control of our economy, our jobs and our future. We don’t need to leave our fate to be decided by international shareholders,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “From the West Coast of the South Island, to Ohakune, to Tokoroa, in the last year alone, we’ve heard the...

Posted at May 01, 2025 11:00 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities

The Government’s Budget looks set to usher in a new age of austerity. This morning, Minister of Finance Nicola Willis said new spending would be limited to $1.4 billion, cut back from the original intended $2.4 billion, which itself was already $100 million below what Treasury said was needed to keep the lights on.“New Zealanders looking around at the state of global politics and asking how things got so bad have their answer in the kind of slash and burn...

Posted at April 29, 2025 9:14 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Another failed ETS auction, another indictment on the Govt’s climate credibility

The ETS auction’s failure today is yet another clear sign that the Government is failing us all on climate action.  “Yesterday, the acting Prime Minister admitted that the Government’s climate commitments were the bare minimum. Worse still, today’s ETS auction failure shows that even the market the Government is relying on doesn’t trust them to deliver,” says the Green Party’s co-leader and Climate Change spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick. “Luxon’s Government has put almost all of their climate eggs in the basket of...

Posted at March 19, 2025 12:19 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Co-Leaders announce plans to launch Green Budget this year

Green Party Co-Leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick have announced the party’s plans to deliver a Green Budget this year to offer an alternative vision to the Government’s trickle-down economics and austerity politics.   “New Zealanders care about each other and the planet we live on. Our Green Budget will lay out the plan for an economy that respects and protects those things, instead of exhausting and exploiting both,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Finance Chlöe Swarbrick. “Poverty, and all...

Posted at February 26, 2025 2:27 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson

culture and innovation

NZers didn’t need this much pain to reduce OCR

Today’s OCR cut will fail to soothe the long-term pain Christopher Luxon’s Government is inflicting upon our communities. “Luxon’s Government had options to cool demand in the economy. Instead of sharing resources around so everyone could get through the hard times, they threw jobs, public services and livelihoods on the scrapheap,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Finance Chlöe Swarbrick.  “The collateral damage of Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis’ decisions mean more inequality, more homelessness, more climate-changing emissions, more inequality...

Posted at February 19, 2025 2:14 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Where’s the “culture of yes” on climate ambition?

The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security.“This new NDC is the closest thing the Government could do to breaking the Paris Agreement and walking away from our international climate commitments without actually doing it,” says the Green Party Co-Leader and Climate Change spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick.  “The expert, independent Climate Change Commission demonstrated how reductions of over...

Posted at January 31, 2025 8:15 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Government spin won’t pay the rent

The latest Consumer Price Index figures show rents rising almost twice as fast as general inflation. “Christopher Luxon tells New Zealanders one thing while doing another,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Finance Chlöe Swarbrick.   “He says he is rebuilding the economy, when in reality, his Government’s decisions have helped create rent inflation double the rate of general inflation and driven more people into poverty while deepening and lengthening the recession. Those are consciously made choices, with clear consequences that...

Posted at January 22, 2025 12:21 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Aotearoa must step up as Trump plays with climate fire

The Green Party is calling on the Government to stand firm and work with allies to progress climate action as Donald Trump signals his intent to pull out of the Paris Climate Accords once again.“Every human being, from Aotearoa to the United States of America, lives on the same planet,” says Green Co-leader and Climate Spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick. “Every action, of any Government, that increases climate changing emissions increases the frequency and severity of catastrophes like the Los Angeles fires...

Posted at January 21, 2025 12:13 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity

The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces.“Christopher Luxon is choosing to prolong the recession and kneecap productivity through merciless cuts,” says the Green Party Co-Leader and Finance spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick. “Today’s HYEFU shows the Government’s trickle-down decisions come at the cost of the very ‘economic growth’ they crow so much about. It doesn’t add up and it doesn’t make...

Posted at December 17, 2024 3:56 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction

New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets.  “The Government’s plan relies on fairytale technologies and covering the equivalent of Ireland in pine trees. Christopher Luxon is setting us up to fail and hoping you don’t read the fineprint,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Climate Change Chlöe Swarbrick. “Confronting the climate crisis...

Posted at December 13, 2024 11:16 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan

Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future. “Our plan is for an Aotearoa that puts people and planet first,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. “Grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, He Ara Anamata shows how we can achieve robust, systemic change that cuts pollution at the source, working with nature every step of the way.  “Anthropogenic climate change has been created by an unsustainable, insatiable economic system....

Posted at December 08, 2024 1:53 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre

Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration.“Thousands of Aucklanders supported years’ worth of campaigning to revive the St James Theatre - and we won - but manufactured paper-pushing has been holding up the start of construction work this year,” says Auckland Central MP and Green Co-Leader, Chlöe Swarbrick. “The new Government was ready to reconfirm funding and get shovels in the ground before a direct...

Posted at December 06, 2024 6:59 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Government smokescreen to downgrade climate ambition

Today the ACT-National Coalition Agreement pet project’s findings on “no additional warming” were released.“Whether it’s climate action or child poverty, Christopher Luxon committed at the election, then quietly tried to change the targets and reduce action while in Government,” says Green Party Co-Leader and spokesperson on Climate Change, Chlöe Swarbrick.  “There’s a reason climate scientists balked when the Government announced it would review agricultural emissions: it was an obvious smokescreen to lower climate ambition, as the report and Ministerial comments...

Posted at December 04, 2024 4:56 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

You can’t bank on pine trees in a climate crisis

Today’s Government announcement to limit farm forestry conversions tinkers around the edges, instead of focusing on the real problem and stopping pollution at the source.“Banking on pine trees to cut pollution is barely a band-aid on a gas leak,” says Green Party Climate Change spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick. “The Government’s changes are an acknowledgement that there’s a problem in converting productive, food-growing land into biodiversity-squashing pine plantations, but they stop far short of fixing that problem. “Polluters will still be allowed...

Posted at December 04, 2024 1:33 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Prime Minister shirks responsibility on global climate commitment

In an interview with Q&A this morning, the Prime Minister refused to say whether he would commit to meeting the Paris Agreement, the international climate agreement which commits all countries to act locally to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees.“Climate commitments aren’t numbers on a page to be toyed with at political whim. They’re hard scientific limits, requiring each country to do our bit for a liveable planet,” says Green Party Co-Leader and spokesperson for Climate Change Chlöe Swarbrick. “This...

Posted at December 01, 2024 12:15 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

NZ’s global climate rankings plummet as Govt removes agriculture from ETS

The Government has passed legislation to remove agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) while Aotearoa’s reputation on climate action plummets. “While our Climate Minister is on the other side of the world telling the UN climate conference about the need to act, at home, his Government is ramming through law to delay and deny that very action,” says Green Party Co-Leader and spokesperson for Climate Change, Chlöe Swarbrick, who is currently attending COP29.  “The world isn’t stupid - and that’s...

Posted at November 21, 2024 5:56 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

International Energy Agency issues wake-up call on climate action

Today’s report from the International Energy Agency highlights how far this Government’s actions are dragging us backwards in the fight against climate change. “Luxon’s decision to pour fossil fuel on the climate crisis fire actively undermines not only energy security and resilience, but a climate-safe future,” says Green Party Co-Leader and spokesperson for Climate Change Chlöe Swarbrick.  “Today the International Energy Agency issued its annual energy outlook with the key message: energy security and climate action are inextricably linked.  “The IEA...

Posted at October 17, 2024 10:27 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Work to do on climate adaptation

The Finance and Expenditure Committee’s inquiry into climate adaptation is something that must be built on for an enduring framework to manage climate risk.“Climate change is here. We must both mitigate further climate changing emissions and we must adapt. Good policy does both,” says Green Party Co-Leader and spokesperson for Climate Change, Chlöe Swarbrick.  “The Finance and Expenditure Committee inquiry into climate adaptation was the latest step in the opportunity to build an enduring framework that supports communities to plan...

Posted at October 01, 2024 8:03 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Green Government will revoke oil and gas permits

The Green Party vows to reinstate the oil and gas ban and revoke permits when it returns to government following the coalition’s introduction of legislation to reopen offshore oil and gas exploration this afternoon. “A Green Government will reinstate the oil and gas ban and revoke any permits granted under the current fossil fuel-obsessed regime,” says Green Party Co-Leader and spokesperson for Climate Change, Chlöe Swarbrick. “We can have an economy that supports people and the planet, instead of exploiting both....

Posted at September 24, 2024 3:54 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Govt must act to avoid the worst of NIWA’s climate projections

New climate projections from NIWA underscore how urgently climate action is needed.“A future of flood and drought painted by NIWA is the reality of an unabated climate crisis,” says Green Party Co-leader and spokesperson for Climate Change, Chlöe Swarbrick.   “These projections show us that climate delay is the new denial, and emphasise how this Government’s plan to increase emissions will cost us all dearly. “We can have an economy that works for people and planet, instead of exploiting both. That...

Posted at September 18, 2024 3:14 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

people and communities

Greens celebrate huge step forward for ADHD community

The Greens welcome today’s long-coming announcement by Pharmac of consultation to remove the special authority renewal criteria for methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and modafinil and to fund lisdexamfetamine.“Today will be celebrated by hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders living with ADHD,” says Green Party Co-leader and Mental Health spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick.  “Finally, we have achieved concrete steps for more accessible and affordable treatment.  “This announcement has been years in the making, and is only happening because of the mahi of many behind...

Posted at September 12, 2024 11:16 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

RBNZ lowers OCR, Govt continues ‘let them eat cake’ strategy

While the Reserve Bank lowers the Official Cash Rate, it’s this Government’s policies driving poverty in our communities.“The Reserve Bank’s decision to slightly lower interest rates today will be welcome news for some, but won’t help the approximate 23,000 more kids the Government is pushing into poverty,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Finance Chlöe Swarbrick.  “Monetary policy is a blunt instrument. It’s fiscal policy - that is, the Government’s choices on tax and spend - which dictates the...

Posted at August 14, 2024 3:41 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Green Party sends open letter to PM on renters’ rights

The Greens have launched an open letter calling on the Prime Minister to respond to the rental crisis. “Housing is a human right and should not be treated as a commodity to be gambled on,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “Over the past month, we have been running a campaign to put real people’s stories to the statistics that tell us the one and a half million renters in this country spend disproportionately more of their income to live in...

Posted at July 28, 2024 2:00 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Government back off track on climate action

Today’s Draft Emissions Reduction Plan shows the Government couldn’t care less about a liveable climate for all.“The Government is pouring oil, coal and gas on the climate crisis fire. Today’s draft Emissions Reduction Plan lays bare that they have no plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Climate Change Chlöe Swarbrick.  “In a nutshell, their ‘plan’ means largely giving up on stopping pollution at the source and a whole lot of wishful thinking....

Posted at July 17, 2024 8:07 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Marine Protection Bill encouraging, but more work required

The Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill is an encouraging example of what cross-party co-operation can achieve.“Today was a positive step forward, but there is still a mountain to climb when it comes to protecting and preserving the health of our ocean,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. “While we join the Environment select committee in supporting the recommendations for amendment, the Green Party would have liked to see the ecological integrity and mauri of Tīkapa Moana /...

Posted at June 20, 2024 2:59 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson

nature and climate

Failure of climate auction highlights government inaction

The lack of bids at today’s ETS auction is a sad indictment on this Government's staggering indifference to the climate crisis and their lack of a plan. “The market clearly lacks confidence in this Government, and is responding to the reality of the coalition’s inaction over their rhetoric,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “This morning the Minister of Finance seemed caught unaware about how the Emissions Trading Scheme works, and this afternoon, that market showed it has no confidence in...

Posted at June 19, 2024 2:29 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Budget cuts chances of liveable future

Scrutiny of Budget 24 and advice to the Minister of Finance shows the Government is knowingly increasing emissions and shredding climate action.“The Government's Budget comes at a tremendous cost to our climate. People and planet pay the price,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “For the first time, we have it in black in white that the Government knew their budget decisions would increase emissions – and that’s only for the initiatives they decided to do the analysis on. “The...

Posted at June 19, 2024 1:02 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Farmers among first and worst hit by climate change

The Government has once again kicked the climate action can down the road by removing agricultural emissions from the Emissions Trading Scheme. "Climate delay is the new denial. Today’s announcement from the Government that it will shred progress on agricultural emissions pricing is just the latest episode of disregard for our climate and environment,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “The Climate Minister’s sheepish statement that we’ll still somehow meet climate change commitments is a far cry from reality. He and...

Posted at June 11, 2024 12:10 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Government to add oil and gas to climate fire

The Government deciding to lift the oil and gas ban in the middle of a climate crisis is a severe step backwards that will have serious consequences for our future. “The Government is tipping oil and gas onto the climate crisis fire, lining the pockets of fossil fuel companies, while everyone else will pick up the bill,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “Today’s announcement is the latest episode of this Government putting profit before people and planet.  “Iwi Māori and...

Posted at June 09, 2024 11:00 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

democracy and international relations

Trickle-down tax cuts while the planet and social contract burns

The Government’s bloody-minded commitment to delivering trickle-down tax cuts at all costs comes at the expense of investment in people and planet. “The Government has today pledged their allegiance to inequality through an unfair and unproductive tax system,” says Green Party co-leader and Finance spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick.  “While their Fiscal Strategy says they are committed to a more productive economy, they have made decisions to entrench a tax system that does the opposite. Once again, they’ve cherry-picked statements from the IMF...

Posted at May 30, 2024 3:34 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Coalition of cowards slashes investment in climate action

Actions speak louder than words and this Government's attack on the climate will ripple through generations, says the Green Party. “The other day, Government parties said, ‘Drill, baby, drill,’ and today, they may as well have said, ‘burn, baby, burn’,” says Green Party co-leader and climate spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick.  “This Government has slashed and burned almost all climate and environmentally minded policy whilst pouring coal, oil and gas over the roaring climate crisis fire. Today’s Budget has seen funding from almost...

Posted at May 30, 2024 2:45 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Coalition of coal will prove catastrophic for climate

The Government’s plans to ramp up coal mining in the heat of a climate crisis will see our chances of a liveable future melt away.“This Government is gaslighting New Zealanders with extra oil, coal and gas. There is no future in burning our planet,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Climate Change Chlöe Swarbrick.  “The science is crystal clear. If we want to prevent a future filled with climate catastrophe and extreme weather, fossil fuels need to stay in...

Posted at May 23, 2024 5:20 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Greens welcome cross-party approach to climate adaptation

The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry.“Just over a year ago our North Island was hammered by deadly and devastating climate-change charged weather events. Many are still grappling with the clean-up, insurance issues and infrastructure gaps. These are the consequences of a warming planet and we must do everything we can to both mitigate climate changing...

Posted at May 10, 2024 5:00 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Minister of Finance reheats austerity politics

This morning’s pre-Budget speech from the Minister of Finance offered no “meaningful” news on the Government’s trickle-down economics based plans.“We can expect tax cuts in the form of crumbs for everyone except those who own for a living. These decisions come at the cost of gutting public services, cutting half-price public transport, chopping fees-free prescriptions and slashing benefit increases, making life all the more difficult for anyone but those at the top. The Minister of Finance is basically just saying,...

Posted at May 09, 2024 9:01 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

democracy and international relations

Greens call on Government to keep same-day election enrolment and voting

On Radio New Zealand this morning, the Justice Minister stated the Government was considering ending election day enrolments.“The Government’s flirting with ending election day enrolments hints at a frightening degree of disdain for democracy and people’s right to have their say. It smacks of the politics of Trump’s America,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “Accessible elections are critical to a functional, inclusive democracy. Any imposed barrier is rightfully open to serious criticism of voter suppression. We’ve seen similar measures...

Posted at May 08, 2024 11:47 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

Central Bank makes clear Government is pouring fuel on housing crisis fire

Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse.“The Government’s $2.9 billion tax cut for landlords has been called out for what it is by our very own central bank: a boost for property speculators at the expense of anyone else who wants a roof over their head,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. “The Reserve Bank’s Financial Stability Report details that the...

Posted at May 01, 2024 1:36 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Landlord Government once again pushes renters into the cold

The Coalition is trying to axe yet another opportunity to improve rentals by dropping the Residential Property Managers Bill.“This Government of landlords, by landlords, is trying to quietly shred nearly two decades of work towards basic regulations for property managers. They evidently don’t have the spine to stand up and tell nearly one and a half million renters that they don’t care about their living standards - but actions speak louder than words,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “In...

Posted at May 01, 2024 11:02 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Government throws coal on the climate crisis fire

The Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. “Today the Government has announced the latest frontier in its relentless assault on our planet, easing the path for more climate-heating coal mining,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “The window of opportunity to respond to the climate emergency is quickly closing. The International Energy Agency has made it crystal clear that if we want to limit global warming within the 1.5 degrees...

Posted at April 16, 2024 12:00 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

CCC issues warning over further climate delay

Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements.“We once were proud to punch above our weight on the world stage but today’s draft advice from the Climate Change Commission tells us there’s a lot of work to do if we hope to live up to that legacy,” says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  “Science has evolved on the inconvenient non-negotiables...

Posted at April 08, 2024 6:51 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Methane target review is dangerous duplication

The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said.“Delay is the new denial when it comes to climate change,” said Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. “There is already a legally required, independent review of emissions reduction targets this year - which two of the three governing parties voted for. Best case, this newly announced review is a shining example...

Posted at April 06, 2024 2:18 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

The Time is Now for Oceans Protection

Community organisations, mana whenua and the Greens have written to the incoming Minister of Oceans and Fisheries to call for the progression without delay of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill.“The Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana/Te Moananui ā Toi ecosystem is on the brink of collapse. The incoming Government must not only continue progress on the hard-fought-for Marine Protection Bill, but do the scientifically necessary actions to end bottom trawling in the Gulf and protect at least 30% of our oceans,”...

Posted at November 28, 2023 6:54 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

Waka Kotahi miss the boat on community needs for Waiheke ferry services

Auckland Central Green MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, this morning received a long awaited OIA with official advice and consultants’ reports on whether to regulate the Waiheke ferry service.“My constituents on Waiheke are forced to use the only public transport route in the country which is recognised as integral to the network by the local authority, but not afforded the regulation and subsidies of all other public transport. Everyday, my constituents live with the legacy of dodgy decision making by the former...

Posted at November 10, 2023 1:19 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Greens cheers community win to reduce alcohol harm

The Green Party is today celebrating the passage of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Community Participation) Bill.“Let’s be under no illusion. This Bill was introduced to the House and has passed today as a direct result of years of community campaigning, including most recently with the Greens nearly two year campaign for my Alcohol Harm Minimisation Bill,” said Green Party drug harm reduction spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick. “We’re stoked that the Government copied our homework by removing the special appeals...

Posted at August 24, 2023 4:33 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Green Party launches Rental WOF Bill

The Green Party has today placed a Rental Warrant of Fitness Bill in the Member’s Ballot.“1.4 million renters in Aotearoa spend more of their income on older, colder and mouldier housing than those who own. That is a political choice. The Greens choose to prioritise and guarantee warm, dry homes for all and today we’re putting our solution in the ballot,” said Green Party renters’ rights spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick. “The Government currently has no real world data on how many...

Posted at July 26, 2023 2:03 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

culture and innovation

A new life for St James Theatre

After years of community organising, Green MP for Auckland Central Chlöe Swarbrick is thrilled to announce today alongside Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Carmel Sepuloni Government funding for restoration of the St James Theatre in Auckland’s city centre.“We did it. With many hands, years of work and a whole lot of creative campaigning, we’ve secured the restoration of the St James Theatre, confirming Government funding to match and unlock legacy Council budget commitments,” says Chlöe Swarbrick. “Tāmaki Makaurau is a UNESCO...

Posted at July 22, 2023 12:00 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Greens release rental stories collection

The Green Party has today released a collection of stories showing how dire the rental situation is in Aotearoa.“We put the call out for renters’ voices nearly a month ago and have been overwhelmed with the response. Far, far too many of the 1.4 million renting New Zealanders have horror stories - and without policy intervention, they’re living in a state sanctioned nightmare,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for renters, Chlöe Swarbrick. “We heard stories of families forced to pay...

Posted at June 27, 2023 5:35 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Tertiary lifeline buys time to get model right

The Green Party is today welcoming news that the Government will ensure much needed funding for the tertiary sector.“We’re proud to have worked with the Tertiary Education Union, Student Associations and Minister Tinetti’s office to have helped drive the solution announced today to patch up University funding in the face of fluctuating student enrolment,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for tertiary education, Chlöe Swarbrick. “This Budget reallocation is a practical step to address immediate needs. Crucially, it buys the Government...

Posted at June 27, 2023 12:33 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Greens welcome Government joining the party to deal with disposable vapes

The Green Party are welcoming the Government’s announcement of regulations to curb youth vaping.“Drugs, like nicotine and alcohol, should be regulated in an evidence-based way to reduce harm. With the already extensive evidence of environmental harm and ease of uptake with disposable vapes, today we’re celebrating the Government joining the party in effectively phasing them out,” says Chlöe Swarbrick, Green Drug Law Reform Spokesperson. “This is a specific proposal we fought for throughout the progress of last year’s Smokefree Environments...

Posted at June 06, 2023 4:08 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Greens launch rental stories campaign

The Green Party are today launching a campaign asking for people to submit their stories of subpar, substandard and downright awful experiences of renting in Aotearoa.“An affordable, warm, healthy and secure home is literally a human right. Yet it’s one denied to far too many of the 1.4 million renters in this country,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for renters, Chlöe Swarbrick.  “This is a political choice. Aotearoa New Zealand is not the first country in the world to deal...

Posted at June 06, 2023 7:00 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

democracy and international relations

We don’t need to engineer a recession, Government can tax wealth

The Green Party is calling on the Government to take responsibility for reducing inflation by taxing wealth instead of leaving RBNZ to continue hiking the Official Cash Rate.“We know that inflation hits lower-income New Zealanders who spend the majority of their income covering the essentials like food and rent the hardest. We know that recessions also hit those same low-income people hardest, because they have smaller savings and tend to be in more precarious employment. “Instead of relying on the...

Posted at May 24, 2023 2:18 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

democracy and international relations

Richest NZers don’t pay their fair share - and Parliament can fix it

Long awaited High Wealth Individual Research released by Minister David Parker’s office today shows, again, the Government must act to tax wealth and create a fair economy.“New Zealanders have long felt what has today been confirmed by Government research: our tax system is unfair. The wealthiest pay less than half the effective tax of the average family,” says Green Party revenue spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick. “Rules put in place by successive Governments privilege wealth hoarding. Not only are these rules unfair,...

Posted at April 26, 2023 12:37 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

nature and climate

Racing Minister gambling with dogs’ lives in unnecessary and self-imposed delay

The Green Party is concerned with reports that the Racing Minister is kicking decisions on the future of greyhound racing until after the election.“This is a bizarre concession to an industry who’ve spent the past ten years persistently failing to meet animal welfare standards,” says Green Party animal welfare spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick. “As long as the greyhound racing industry continues, dogs will unnecessarily die and be injured. These deaths and injuries are not a bug, they are a design feature....

Posted at April 20, 2023 1:09 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

democracy and international relations

Persistent inflation shows urgent need to tax wealth

The Green Party is calling on the Government to tax the super wealthy as inflation, largely driven by continued increases in the cost of essentials like food and housing, persists.“Inflation hits lower-income families the hardest, who spend the majority of their income covering the essentials like food and rent. Wealth and income inequality in this country is a political choice. The Government needs to act,” says Green Party revenue spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick. “The solution is taxing wealth and excess profits...

Posted at April 20, 2023 11:18 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

Auckland flood response report requires urgent action

Auckland Central Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick welcomes the findings of the Auckland Flood Response Review and urges Council to not delay implementing the 17 recommendations.“In the climate-change-charged weather events at the beginning of this year, communities and whānau lost loved ones. People lost their homes, livelihoods and businesses. These were tragedies,” Chlöe Swarbrick says. “We saw what matters. Neighbours helped neighbours. These are the systems that worked: the community. These community services need more resourcing and support from Council, not...

Posted at April 12, 2023 4:22 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Greens make progress on alcohol harm minimisation

The Green Party is tonight welcoming the progress made with Chlöe Swarbrick’s Alcohol (Harm Minimisation) member’s bill but disappointed Parliament has once again kicked the rest of the can down the road.“After a year of grassroots campaigning, late last year the Government announced it was adopting the kaupapa of my Alcohol Harm Minimisation Bill. I said then that I wouldn’t withdraw my Bill because we had no guarantee they would follow through. A few weeks ago, unfortunately, the Government proved...

Posted at April 05, 2023 9:48 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

democracy and international relations

RBNZ don’t need to engineer a recession, Government can tax wealth

The Green Party is calling on the Government to take responsibility to reduce inflation by taxing wealth, instead of leaving RBNZ to continue hiking the Official Cash Rate.“Economists estimate over-reliance on unconventional monetary policy throughout COVID-19 resulted in a huge transfer of wealth to some of the richest in Aotearoa,” says Green Party revenue spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick. “Now, conventional monetary policy tools are being used to bake in that inequality. “Worse than that, RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr admitted in response...

Posted at April 05, 2023 2:09 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

Greens launch submission guide for Auckland Council budget

The Green Party has today launched a submission guide to help Aucklanders give crucial input and prevent potentially disastrous Auckland Council budget proposals.“It’s not just the arts, climate action and community programmes under threat. It’s pretty much every single thing we value about life in our city,” says Auckland Central Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick. “In 2019, Auckland Council declared a climate emergency. In 2023, that climate emergency arrived on our doorstep. “Just weeks later, Mayor Brown has released a Budget...

Posted at March 08, 2023 3:12 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

democracy and international relations

When even the Nats agree bank profits are out of control, it’s time for an excess profits tax

With calls growing for inquiries and action on bank profits, the Greens say the Government has all the information it needs to act now and put a levy on banks.“Four Australian banks made $180 a second in the past year while lower income New Zealanders spent ever more of their income on essentials,” says Green Party revenue spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick. “These banks make, on average, adjusted for income, 20% more from New Zealand customers than their Australian counterparts. “There’s a...

Posted at March 08, 2023 10:17 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick

Greens launch petition to stop Auckland Council climate action cuts

The Green Party has today launched a petition to stop Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s proposed cuts to climate and environmental programmes that protect us from extreme weather.“We have seen, once again, in the past month just how devastating climate-change-charged weather events are for our communities across Aotearoa. It is anti-science and anti-people’s wellbeing to be considering cutting two-thirds of funding sources for essential environmental programmes in our biggest city, let alone in the wake of recent destruction. “Now more than...

Posted at February 22, 2023 2:49 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick

services and systems

Greens join call for immediate rent freeze after floods

The Green Party is joining more than 20 community organisations to call for an immediate rent freeze in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, after reports of landlords intending to hike rents after flooding.“We froze rents when COVID-19 arrived, because the Government heard clearly people’s struggle and uncertainty to survive. Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s floods are no different,” says Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick  “It is mind-blowing to hear some landlords and speculators are consciously planning to raise rents in light of a climate...

Posted at February 03, 2023 7:34 AM by Chlöe Swarbrick