Articles by Francisco Hernandez

services and systems

Luxon’s ‘DOGE style cuts’ will harm New Zealand

Luxon’s cuts to the public service will only put more pressure on frontline workers, meaning New Zealanders miss out on the support they need, says the Green Party.“In 2024, Luxon told New Zealanders that frontline services would be ‘protected,’ which has now been shown to be a sham,” says Green Party Public Services spokesperson, Francisco Hernandez.  “These are DOGE style libertarian fantasies right out of Elon Musk’s playbook.” “Nicola Willis is committing New Zealand to arbitrary headcounts which will eat...

Posted at May 19, 2026 12:10 PM by Francisco Hernandez

services and systems

Green Party pushes for extension of $50 fuel crisis relief payment to students, alongside Winter Energy Payment

The Green Party has released an updated Member’s Bill to extend the Winter Energy Payment to tertiary students and temporarily raise this year’s payment for students by $50 a week, to match the fossil fuel crisis response payment.The Winter Energy Payment begins today, 1 May, and is currently provided to beneficiaries and pensioners to help them heat their homes until October, while other families are receiving the temporary $50 boost to help cover fuel and the cost of living. “Right now,...

Posted at May 01, 2026 11:26 AM by Francisco Hernandez

services and systems

Open letter to Hon Judith Collins

It is with sadness that we write this open letter to respond to the blatantly partisan screed you wrote yesterday. We find it necessary to do so to correct the record and defend the hardworking teachers, nurses and doctors who are striking for fair pay and safe conditions for staff and the public they serve against your attempts to smear them.  But before we get to that - we would like to invite you to spend just one week walking...

Posted at October 20, 2025 11:11 AM by Francisco Hernandez

services and systems

Green Party launches petition to Save our Polytechs

The Green Party is today launching a petition calling on the Government to properly fund our polytechs, and end the cuts.“It’s time for the Minister for Vocational Education and Training to step up and support polytechs–not throw them to the wolves like she has so far,” says the Green Party’s tertiary spokesperson, Francisco Hernandez.  “Our polytechs provide people with the training they need to do the jobs they want and the work our communities rely on. We need our polytechs. ...

Posted at August 25, 2025 9:00 AM by Francisco Hernandez

services and systems

Minister must back regional vocational education with real support

The Government’s move to re-establish ten polytechnics fails to ensure the thriving, future-focussed vocational education sector Aotearoa deserves.“This sector deserves more than just lip service. It’s time for the Minister to put her money where her mouth is and support thriving regional polytechs–not throw them to the wolves like she has so far,” says the Green Party’s tertiary spokesperson, Francisco Hernandez.  “The lack of support and ad hoc planning through the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga has already resulted in the...

Posted at July 15, 2025 8:14 AM by Francisco Hernandez

culture and innovation

Submissions show overwhelming opposition to RSB

The Green Party is calling on Cabinet to stop the Regulatory Standards Bill, after only 19 of a total 208 submissions heard over the course of last week’s submissions process supported the Bill.“It couldn’t be clearer that by a huge proportion, New Zealanders do not want this Bill passed,” says the Green Party’s Regulation Spokesperson, Francisco Hernandez. “Christopher Luxon and his Cabinet should see the writing on the wall here, listen to the people of New Zealand and put a...

Posted at July 14, 2025 11:08 AM by Francisco Hernandez

services and systems

Govt’s ‘free speech’ legislation stokes fear, not freedom

The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. “This has nothing to do with free speech, this is about polluting our public discourse for political gain,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Tertiary Education, Francisco Hernadez.   “Universities play a critical role in our society, providing a platform for informed and reasoned debate, the kind of...

Posted at December 19, 2024 2:56 PM by Francisco Hernandez

services and systems

Economists sound alarm on Government's slash-and-burn approach

A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. “The advice and evidence is clear: this Government’s slash-and-burn economic approach has hurt and will continue to hurt Aotearoa,” says the Green Party’s Public Services spokesperson, Francisco Hernandez. “Our public service needs to be supported so it can support our communities. Undermining our public servants at every opportunity will only lead to an erosion of the services...

Posted at November 20, 2024 5:28 PM by Francisco Hernandez