Environment

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

nature and climate

Green Party will protect public conservation land for future generations

The Green Party is announcing in government it will overhaul the laws protecting Aotearoa's conservation land and wildlife, scrapping the Government's current reform and starting again with a process focused on protecting what we have for future generations.“Our public conservation land is not the Government's to sell. It belongs to all of us, and to the generations who come after us. Conservation reform should give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, put indigenous-led land stewardship at the centre, and make...

Posted at June 25, 2026 11:05 AM by Marama Davidson

$30m for school drinking water safety is a start but pollution keeps flowing

The Green Party is welcoming Government investment of $30m into school drinking water following their questions on the issue, but warns rural communities will continue to get sick until broader pollution problems are addressed.The Green Party released data in April showing 9000 students across more than 70 schools and pre-schools faced unsafe drinking water in 2025, with water breaching safe Drinking Water Standards at some point during the year.  “No child should face a health risk from the water coming out...

Posted at June 09, 2026 3:58 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

“End of an era” as Government law change disestablishes Ministry for the Environment

The Green Party is condemning the Government’s disestablishment of the Ministry for the Environment, following the law change required to scrap the Ministry passing through Parliament on Wednesday.“This Government is cementing their place as the most anti-environment Government in New Zealand’s history. This is a shameful end of an era,” said Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham.  The Environment (Disestablishment of Ministry for the Environment) Amendment Bill is set to pass through parliament today despite substantial opposition from the public, with more than 99% of submitters against...

Posted at May 27, 2026 5:34 PM by Lan Pham

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

nature and climate

Greens celebrate Court of Appeal decision to protect Waihi Forest from mining

The Green Party is celebrating a Court of Appeal decision to protect public land in the Wharekirauponga Forest from being ‘gifted’ to mining companies.“This Court of Appeal decision upholds the principle that public land belongs to New Zealanders and our wildlife,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.  The decision relates to the Waihi North extension of OceanaGold's Waihi mine.  “There is no way this beautiful piece of native forest, or any publicly owned land, should be turned over to an Australian mining...

Posted at April 22, 2026 3:05 PM by Marama Davidson

nature and climate

Action needed on widespread drinking water problems

The Green Party says while it is relieved the cause of the recent 'boil water' notice in Auckland was easily addressed, more action is needed to deal with the regular and widespread contamination of drinking water elsewhere in the country."New Zealanders should be able to turn on their tap and access safe, clean drinking water," says Green Party spokesperson for the environment Lan Pham.  "While in some cases, drinking water is contaminated as it moves through pipes in our towns...

Posted at April 08, 2026 4:41 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

9,000 students faced unsafe drinking water at school last year

The Green Party has released data showing 9000 students across more than 70 schools and pre-schools faced unsafe drinking water in 2025, with water breaching safe Drinking Water Standards at some point during the year. “No child should face a health risk from the water coming out of a drinking fountain at their school. The data paints a troubling picture of the state of drinking water in Aotearoa,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.  "While many of these schools had treatment systems in place, for whatever reason the treatment has failed."  "Drinking water standards set safe limits for things like bacteria, chemicals, and other contaminants in...

Posted at April 02, 2026 8:52 AM by Marama Davidson and Lan Pham

nature and climate

Fast-track Decision Looms on Destructive Waitaha Hydro Scheme

The Green Party says the Fast Track expert panel should turn down the previously declined ‘Waitaha Hydro’ project, which if approved will destroy an internationally significant South Island river.An application to dam the river as part of the ‘Waitaha Hydro project’ was declined in 2019 by the Minister for the Environment David Parker. It was shown then to offer little benefit to New Zealand, while causing significant impacts on the natural character of the wild Waitaha River and Morgan Gorge,...

Posted at March 13, 2026 5:57 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Environment comes last as Government abolishes dedicated ministry

The Green Party is condemning the Government's decision to disestablish the Ministry for the Environment.“This is failure by a Minister who has turned her back on the very portfolio she was entrusted to protect. Abolishing her own ministry is as monumental as it is shameful,” said Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham.  “The Ministry for the Environment exists because in 1986 New Zealanders decided that protecting our natural world needed a dedicated voice at the heart of government.  "Burying the Ministry...

Posted at February 19, 2026 3:46 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Overwhelming opposition to fast-track legislation Luxon's Government will ignore, again

In a case of déjà vu nightmare, the Green Party stands with 95 per cent of submitters to the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill, opposing this proposed legislation in the strongest terms.“Yet again, Luxon’s Government is squashing long standing environmental safeguards, te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and democratic principles to benefit its wealthy mates and corporations,” says the Green Party’s environment spokesperson, Lan Pham. “Today’s report from the Environment Select Committee shows 95 per cent of submitters oppose the Fast-track Approvals...

Posted at December 04, 2025 3:33 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Marama Davidson Mining Revocation Announcement Speech

Today, we are announcing that a Green Government will commit to revoking any consents or permits handed out under the fast-track process for coal, gold and seabed mines.These projects, if approved, will have been through a process that categorically fails to meet our standards of transparency, accountability, and environmental responsibility. We don’t believe that’s acceptable. More importantly, these types of mining are profoundly destructive. Each leaves behind polluted water, scarred landscapes, and divided communities. They extract resources from our land,...

Posted at November 17, 2025 2:57 PM by Marama Davidson

nature and climate

Greens pledge to revoke most destructive fast-track mining consents

Today, the Greens are announcing that a Green Government will commit to revoking any consents or permits handed out under the fast-track process for coal, Hardrock gold and seabed mining.“The fast-track process fails even the most basic standards of transparency, accountability, and environmental protection,” says Green Party Co-leader, Marama Davidson. “We can have an economy that employs people without destroying the ecological basis of our existence for the profits of the few. But, if we are serious about leaving behind...

Posted at November 17, 2025 2:12 PM by Marama Davidson

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

nature and climate

Hauraki Marine Bill a huge step despite Govt backtrack

The passing of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill has been hailed as a significant step by the Green Party, despite concessions for industry.“After decades of exploitation, this Bill is a major turning point in efforts to stop the ecological collapse of our precious marine ecosystems in the Hauraki Gulf,” says the Green Party Spokesperson for the Environment, Lan Pham.  “It’s the most significant marine protection proposal in a generation, and wouldn’t have been possible without the...

Posted at October 07, 2025 5:43 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Environment Minister abusing role to put freshwater at risk

Documents obtained under the Official Information Act have revealed the Minister for the Environment is pressuring local councils to allow ‘water take’ consents for a group of farmers that includes her party colleague, in a catchment already showing signs of serious decline. “The very least New Zealanders would expect from their Minister for the Environment is a duty of care for the environment, no matter their politics,” says Green Party Environment spokesperson, Lan Pham. “Instead, we have a Minister using their...

Posted at October 01, 2025 6:15 PM by Lan Pham

services and systems

Govt fails to move energy system away from fossil fuels

More Government support for investment in oil, gas and LNG infrastructure is another step away from the sustainable and affordable energy network that this country needs.“Today’s underwhelming announcement does nothing to guarantee lower energy bills for struggling households and businesses,” says the Green Party Co-Leader, Marama Davidson.  “While the devil will be in the detail, these purported ‘reforms’ appear to only entrench the dominance of the gentailers and deepen our reliance on fossil fuels - a risky, expensive and increasingly...

Posted at October 01, 2025 8:47 AM by Marama Davidson

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

nature and climate

Marama Davidson AGM Speech 2025

Ko te rākau e tupu ana, e taea te whakahoki, ki te one i tupu ake ai. Nō reira, ko tātou ko te kauri, ko te kauri ko tātou.Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.  Nearly 200 years ago, our shared ancestors landed on a promise to “take the best possible care of each other.”  To care for future generations.  And to care for the lands we live on. The promise of Tiriti justice offers us a unique opportunity to...

Posted at August 09, 2025 2:11 PM by Marama Davidson

nature and climate

Greens aim high for sake of people and planet

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson has set out her party's ambitions to be a leading force in the next Government at the party's Annual General Meeting in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington today. “We’re not here to just lead the opposition, we are here because we want to lead the next Government, the most progressive Government Aotearoa has seen,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.   “Real power lies with us, the people. When we come together - grounded in care for each other...

Posted at August 09, 2025 2:10 PM by Marama Davidson

nature and climate

National direction changes mark dark day for people and planet

Today’s sweeping changes to environmental protections paint a damning picture of a government hellbent on profit at all costs, openly allowing more environmentally harmful activities under the guise of progress.“Today is a dark day for rivers, lakes, streams, beaches, forests and all who enjoy and rely on these taonga across Aotearoa,” says the Green Party’s Environment Spokesperson, Lan Pham.  “Taking freshwater as one example, ‘Te Mana o Te Wai’ offered us a clear legal framework that prioritised the health of...

Posted at May 29, 2025 1:46 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Minister for the Environment missing in action in Budget 2025

Budget 2025 makes it crystal clear that this Government has no interest in protecting nature or securing a liveable future for our tamariki.Budget 2025 makes it crystal clear that this Government has no interest in protecting nature or securing a liveable future for our tamariki. “Our environment is in crisis. This Budget proves the Government simply does not care,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Environment, Lan Pham. “They have no understanding that their so-called ‘laser-focus’ on the economy makes...

Posted at May 22, 2025 4:55 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Greens question Govt commitment to environmental protection with RMA reform

The Greens are calling on the Government to follow through on their vague promises of environmental protection in their Resource Management Act (RMA) reform.“We have seen this Government bulldoze over biodiversity, freshwater and environmental protections for the sole purpose of profit and now they expect us to believe them when they say they are committed to protecting our natural world,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Environment, Lan Pham.  “Together, we can build a future that works for everyone, within...

Posted at March 24, 2025 5:07 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects

The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. “The industry is on notice: consents granted under this regime that shortcut our democracy, sidestep environmental protections and degrade te taiao will be revoked by a Green Government,” says the Green Party Spokesperson for the Environment, Lan Pham.  “This legislation is our out-of-touch Government’s gift to Kiwis to digest while they enjoy their summer...

Posted at December 17, 2024 5:37 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope

The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today.“Commercialising our environment risks transforming nature from being accessible to all to a privilege afforded to a select few,” says Green Party Spokesperson for Environment, Lan Pham. “Aotearoa’s parks, forests, and wildlife are taonga—treasures—that everyone should enjoy. We should be investing in a conservation system which protects our unique natural ecosystems for generations to come. “This proposal, however, takes us...

Posted at November 15, 2024 11:04 AM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation

The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. “This flawed legislation poses a huge threat to our environment, and spells bad news for our climate and international reputation,” says the Green Party Spokesperson for the Environment, Lan Pham. “The environment provides the basis for life itself. We must be responsible stewards of the natural world which sustains us, and ditch the regressive exploitative and extractive approach that benefits an already wealthy few at the...

Posted at November 13, 2024 8:02 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Fast-Track, off the rails: Submitters show strong opposition to Bill

Despite resounding public opposition, the fast-track legislation is being pushed through Parliament with provisions that could have real consequences for people and planet.“More than 90 per cent of submitters opposed this Bill. People know that the fast track will derail our environment," says the Green Party Spokesperson for the Environment Lan Pham. “Our well-being is intertwined with the environment. By looking after nature, we look after ourselves. We need to move on from the archaic, exploitative and extractive approach that...

Posted at October 18, 2024 4:05 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Govt’s shameful backtrack on marine conservation

The Green Party has condemned the Government’s late change to allow commercial fishing in protected areas in the Hauraki Gulf.“This Government has bent over backwards to give fishing lobbyists exactly what they asked for, in an area of precious biodiversity facing ecological collapse,” says the Green Party Spokesperson for the Environment, Lan Pham.  “Healthy marine environments are the lifeblood of our planet. We can have healthy and thriving fisheries and marine life - now and in the future - if...

Posted at October 13, 2024 10:11 AM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Trojan Horse approach to fast-track projects threatens environment

The Government’s fast-track list is another example of its reckless approach to the environment and disregard for due process. “The government is set to unleash environmental destruction across Aotearoa, while using some potentially worthy projects as a diversion,” says the Green Party's spokesperson for the Environment, Lan Pham. “Our environment forms the foundation for life as we know it. By looking after nature, we look after ourselves. We need to move on from the archaic, exploitative and extractive approach that has...

Posted at October 07, 2024 12:51 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Greens call for public to back Wrybill in BOTY and beyond

The Green Party is calling on the public to support the Ngutu Pare Wrybill not just in this year’s Bird of the Year competition but also in pushing back against policies that could lead to the destruction of its habitat and accelerate its extinction.“We need to save Christopher Luxon’s Bird of the Year from his own Government,” says the Green Party's spokesperson for Environment, Lan Pham.  “Two years ago, Christopher Luxon held a pretend press conference announcing his support for...

Posted at September 02, 2024 12:14 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Fast track still on track to environmental destruction

Our environment remains at risk despite the Government's proposed changes to its controversial fast-track legislation. “The tinkering and shallow re-packaging of the contentious fast-track legislation fails to address the severe threat it poses to our natural world,” says Green Party spokesperson for Environment, Lan Pham.  “Our environment forms the foundation for life as we know it. By looking after nature, we look after ourselves. We need to move on from the archaic, exploitative and extractive approach that has already seen us...

Posted at August 25, 2024 2:44 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Government throws the environment on the scrap heap

The Government has shown its disdain for nature by undermining and cutting programmes which protect and conserve our environment.“For all the Government’s hot air about Budget ‘24, they forgot about the fundamental thing that upholds it all - the environment,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for the Environment, Lan Pham. “Hundreds of millions of dollars has been cut from environmental protection and conservation programmes, including freshwater quality improvements, climate change programmes, and cleaning up contaminated sites. “They’ve even cut funding...

Posted at May 31, 2024 4:42 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Further environmental mismanagement on the cards

The Government’s resource management reforms will add to the heavy and ever-growing burden this Government is loading on to our environment. “This legislation will accelerate the decline of our natural world and add fuel to the climate crisis fire in what is another classic case of environmental mismanagement from this Government,” says Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham.  “This is an absurd dereliction of duty that will do nothing to build the infrastructure New Zealand needs, and will instead accelerate environmental...

Posted at April 23, 2024 12:46 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Fast-track submissions period must be extended

The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. "Smoke, mirrors and shadows continue to shroud the Government’s fast-track legislation,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.  “It is outrageous for Minister Bishop to release the list of stakeholders invited to participate in the fast-track process only hours before public submissions close and after...

Posted at April 19, 2024 4:26 PM by Marama Davidson

nature and climate

Scrapping Significant Natural Areas shows significant neglect

The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. “Significant Natural Areas (SNA) represent some of the most crucial pockets of our native habitat and act as a sanctuary for our most rare and threatened indigenous plants and species. Suspending the identification of SNAs and jeopardising existing ones condemns our flora and fauna to a future of continued decline and degradation,” says Green Party...

Posted at March 14, 2024 10:30 AM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Govt trashing nature for its industry mates

The Government’s repeal of the Natural and Built Environment Act is rushed, ideologically motivated, and will be hugely damaging to the health of our communities and the environment. “This new government is more interested in winding back the progress and trashing the environment than it is about setting out a clear vision for the future of Aotearoa,” says the Green Party’s environment spokesperson, Lan Pham.  “Aotearoa needs a planning and resource management system that puts climate resilience and flourishing nature...

Posted at December 20, 2023 2:52 PM by Lan Pham