Articles by Hūhana Lyndon

people and communities

Nats under-16 social media ban lets social media giants off the hook

The Green Party is critical of the Government’s bill which would attempt to ban social media for under-16s. “A ban on social media for under-16s doesn’t solve the problem of social media platforms churning out harmful and dangerous content in the first place,” says Green Party Spokesperson for Media and Communications, Hūhana Lyndon. “We need to regulate social media platforms for all users so these platforms are free from harmful content, rather than just trying to limit access for young people...

Posted at August 25, 2026 9:35 AM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

New Report shows free dental service would cost less than current system

A new report from Dental for All confirms that New Zealand can afford a free, universal public dental service, the Green Party says.“This report confirms the cost of bringing dental care into the public health system is far less than the fiscal, social, and economic cost of the current system,” says Green Party Health spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon. “Keeping dental care unaffordable and out of the public healthcare system increases costs by forcing people to work in pain, not work at all,...

Posted at April 23, 2026 3:41 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Luxon Government can no longer mask racism in education reforms

The Green Party welcomes the urgent inquiry by the Waitangi Tribunal on the Education and Training Amendment Act and Te Mātaiaho (WAI 3553)."The hearings were clear: the Crown breached its Tiriti obligations. The Government can no longer mask the racism in its education reforms," says Green Party spokesperson for education Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan,. The Tribunal heard from iwi including Ngāti Hine and Te Kapotai, and education leaders from across the sector. They expressed their concerns about the removal of Te...

Posted at April 17, 2026 5:13 PM by Lawrence Xu-Nan and Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Greens announce bill to entrench Māori seats in law

Today, the Green Party is announcing a member's bill, in the name of Hūhana Lyndon, to entrench Māori seats in law. “Entrenching Māori seats in law is only a start, but a necessary one,” says the Green Party’s Māori Development spokesperson, Hūhana Lyndon.  “A thriving democracy, one which we can all be proud of, requires that all people participate in ways that make sense to them. Entrenching Māori seats protects that right for generations to come.  “This Bill aims to correct a constitutional imbalance of the treatment of Māori seats. General Electorate seats are currently entrenched....

Posted at January 23, 2026 3:02 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Māori media needs more investment, not funding cuts

The Green Party is gravely concerned about a major cut to funding for flagship Māori news and current affairs programmes Te Karere and The Hui by Te Māngai Pāhō.“This is a terrible outcome for Māori media, and sadly consistent with this Government’s continual undermining of our culture,” says the Green Party Spokesperson for Māori Development, Media and Communications, Hūhana Lyndon. “The complete gutting of funding for The Hui is particularly galling, as it has been such an effective vehicle for...

Posted at October 24, 2025 2:56 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Green Budget delivers for Māori

The Green Party is delivering for Māori with its Green Budget.“Our Green Budget is a statement: we stand for Te Tiriti o Waitangi, we stand on the right side of history and we stand against this Government," says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Māori Development, Hūhana Lyndon. “Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a promise of protection, for people and planet. This forms the foundations of our Green Budget and our vision for Aotearoa. “We have seen this Government undo decades...

Posted at May 14, 2025 11:00 AM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Tribunal review an attack on Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The Government’s plans to limit the powers and scope of the Waitangi Tribunal is a disgrace. “This attack on the tribunal is nothing more than an attempt to limit the accountability the Government has to Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Māori Development, Hūhana Lyndon.  “The Waitangi Tribunal plays a pivotal role in holding Aotearoa true to its founding agreement. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is something that binds us together in building a future for all of...

Posted at May 09, 2025 3:44 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Missed opportunity to stop the stealing of Māori land

The Green Party is disappointed the Government voted down Hūhana Lyndon’s member’s Bill, which would have prevented further alienation of Māori land through the Public Works Act.“Today represents a missed opportunity to end a legacy of injustice that has seen Māori land stolen across generations,” says Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon. “My Bill aimed to address a critical flaw in the Public Works Act, whereby Māori land can be acquired by a Minister or local authority for public works, without...

Posted at March 12, 2025 9:58 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

NZ’s Public Health system dealt yet another blow

This morning’s announcement by the Health Minister regarding a major overhaul of the public health sector levels yet another blow to the country’s essential services.“Our health system is falling victim to a slow death by a thousand cuts,” says Green Party Health spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon. “All New Zealanders deserve a strong, robust public health system that is funded to spec, and able to provide high-quality, timely health services to all who need it. “This Government has shown nothing but disdain...

Posted at March 07, 2025 12:59 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Greens welcome pause of works at Lake Rotokākahi and call for council to work constructively with mana whenua

After months of mana whenua protecting their wāhi tapu, the Green Party welcomes the pause of works at Lake Rotokākahi and calls for the Rotorua Lakes Council to work constructively with Tūhourangi and Ngāti Tumatawera on the pathway forward.“We are inspired by the aroha mana whenua have for their tūpuna and their wāhi tapu, protecting land that was never someone else’s to develop to begin with,” says the Green party spokesperson for Māori Development Hūhana Lyndon. “For too long Māori...

Posted at February 28, 2025 11:00 AM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Greens stand in solidarity with mana whenua of Lake Rotokākahi

The Green Party supports the peaceful occupation at Lake Rotokākahi and are calling for the controversial sewerage project on the lake to be stopped until the Environment Court has made a decision.“We stand in solidarity with the peaceful Lake Rotokākahi resistance and are calling for a stop to all works. For too long Māori land has been confiscated, corrupted and condemned to degradation,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Māori Development Hūhana Lyndon. “As tangata whenua, we should be empowered...

Posted at February 25, 2025 9:55 AM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Public Works Act overhaul fails to protect Māori land

The Government’s so-called overhaul of the Public Works Act will fail to prevent further injustices around the confiscation of Māori land."Now is the time for this Government to be brave and ensure not one more acre of Māori land is stolen by the Crown,” says Green Party Māori Development spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon. “The Government is failing to address what remains a source of great injustice for Māori - that’s why I’m calling on all political parties to support my bill...

Posted at February 05, 2025 3:53 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

culture and innovation

Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day

The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice.“Today marks a sad day for Whakaata Māori, Māori storytelling and Te Tiriti o Waitangi," says Green Party’s Media and Communications spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon. “The establishment of Whakaata Māori twenty years ago was an integral step towards the revitalisation of te reo Māori, and the Government adhering to...

Posted at December 13, 2024 10:05 AM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

Covid Inquiry report underlines need to invest in Health

The Green Party says the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 Response underlines the need for proper investment in our health system so we are prepared for future pandemics. “We need to support our health system so it’s in a position to support our communities through any future pandemics,” says the Green Party Health Spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon. “Any future pandemic response must put the health of our people first. It is also essential that we provide our...

Posted at November 28, 2024 4:26 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

culture and innovation

Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect

The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care.“When a journalist is barred from doing their job, just because they asked the Prime Minister difficult questions, it sets a dangerous precedent,” says the Green Party’s Media and Communications spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon. “Aaron Smale is a highly respected journalist who has rigorously covered issues around the abuse in state and faith-based care....

Posted at November 11, 2024 2:01 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

End of free RAT tests means more exposure to virus

The end of free Rapid Antigen Tests today is another sign the Government is giving up on the challenge of protecting the community from Covid-19.“We cannot afford to become complacent with Covid, testing is a tool that should remain accessible to all,” says the Green Party’s Health spokesperson, Hūhana Lyndon. “Testing is critical to protection, alerting people when they have Covid and when they should avoid interacting with others. It’s one of the most effective things we can do to...

Posted at September 30, 2024 2:52 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

Greens stand in solidarity with Buller community

The Green Party stands in solidarity with the Buller community in its silent protest for better healthcare. “Healthcare is a human right that we cannot afford to see our communities miss out on,” says the Green Party’s Health spokesperson, Hūhana Lyndon. “Our country has enough to ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need, whenever they need it, wherever they need it - it comes down to choices. This Government is choosing to underinvest in our health system at the...

Posted at September 28, 2024 8:29 AM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Govt already seeking advice on Treaty referendum

On one hand, the Prime Minister has assured Aotearoa that his party will not support the Treaty Principles Bill beyond first reading, but on the other, his Government has already sought advice on holding a referendum on our founding document. “Seeking advice on holding a Treaty referendum cuts completely against the grain of the assurances Luxon has given the public on the Treaty Principles Bill,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Māori Development, Hūhana Lyndon. “Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the...

Posted at September 11, 2024 4:18 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Greens call on Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned after letter from Christian leaders

The Green Party is once again urging the Prime Minister to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill as a letter from more than 400 Christian leaders calls for the proposed legislation to be dropped.“This letter is an endorsement of Te Tiriti justice and an indictment on the Treaty Principles Bill,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Māori development, Hūhana Lyndon.  “Te Tiriti o Waitangi provides the foundation for us all to find common ground and build an Aotearoa where all of...

Posted at September 09, 2024 5:00 AM by Hūhana Lyndon and Steve Abel

te tiriti o waitangi

Vast majority of councils support Māori wards

Councils across the country have now decided where they stand regarding Māori wards, with a resounding majority in favour of keeping them in what is a significant setback for the Government.“The voice of our councils has echoed the chorus of calls opposing the Government’s concerted campaign to erase Māori wards and silence tangata whenua voice in local government decision making” says Green Party spokesperson for Māori Development, Hūhana Lyndon. “Forty-three out of 45 councils have voted in favour of keeping...

Posted at September 06, 2024 5:30 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Govt shirks its responsibility to Whakaata Māori

The Green Party has called out the Government for allowing Whakaata Māori to effectively collapse to a shell of its former self as job cuts and programming cuts were announced at the broadcaster today.“When the Government is spending $2.9 billion on tax cuts for landlords, it can surely afford to adequately fund a broadcaster which plays such a critical national role,” says Green Party’s Spokesperson for Māori Development Hūhana Lyndon. “Whakaata Māori was established two decades ago as a result...

Posted at August 29, 2024 11:55 AM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Greens call on Luxon to abandon Treaty Principles Bill following Waitangi Tribunal report

The Green Party is calling on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill following the Waitangi Tribunal’s scathing report on the proposed legislation. “Our Te Tiriti is a taonga. It binds us together, it should not be used to drive us apart,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Māori development, Hūhana Lyndon.  “At Waitangi, Christopher Luxon told Māori that Te Tiriti was our past, present and future. If he truly meant what he said, he would not allow...

Posted at August 16, 2024 12:30 PM by Hūhana Lyndon and Steve Abel

te tiriti o waitangi

Government trying to rush Māori wards legislation through without public say

The Green Party unequivocally condemns the governing parties’ attempts to limit the public’s say on the controversial Māori wards legislation, after the select committee considering the legislation set a deadline for submissions of just five days. “This is a blatant attempt at doing democracy in the dark by shutting the public out from having its say on the incredibly controversial Māori wards legislation,” says Green Party spokesperson for Māori development Hūhana Lyndon.  “Five days. That is the amount of time this...

Posted at May 24, 2024 1:16 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Government introduces Bill to roll back Māori Wards

The Green Party has sounded the alarm over the Government’s introduction of legislation to remove Māori Wards and roll back years of progress. "Removing Māori wards would trample all over Te Tiriti and deprive Māori of the democracy they deserve," says the Green Party spokesperson for Māori Development, Hūhana Lyndon.  “Māori wards were created to establish equitable representation in local government. In this respect, communities have told us the wards work well in ensuring the unique voices and needs of Māori...

Posted at May 21, 2024 11:45 AM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Referendums for Māori wards a racist step backwards

The Government's imposed referendum on Māori wards is a racist step backwards for Māori representation, and disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi.“This three headed taniwha government has continued their legislative attack on Māori and undermining progress made by local councils,  by imposing a referendum on Māori wards.” Says Green Party Māori Development spokesperson, Hūhana Lyndon. “Māori wards were established to ensure equitable representation in local government. They are an essential mechanism that empower the unique voices, experiences and needs of Māori to...

Posted at April 04, 2024 4:59 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

Scrapping Māori Health Authority tramples over Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The Green Party condemns the Government’s latest trashing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in rushing through legislation, without any public input, that will see Te Aka Whai Ora scrapped and the health of Māori neglected. “Disbanding Te Aka Whai Ora will have devastating and lasting impacts on the health and well-being of tangata whenua. Rushing this legislation through the House without public input and before the Waitangi Tribunal’s Urgent Inquiry into the matter is a subversion of our democracy and another...

Posted at February 27, 2024 3:43 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

te tiriti o waitangi

Greens back Waitangi Tribunal inquiry into climate change policy

The Green Party supports The Waitangi Tribunal holding a priority kaupapa inquiry into climate change policy.“We applaud the collective action taken by Climate Justice Taranaki to take climate change to the Waitangi Tribunal for an urgent inquiry. And we stand by their claim that the Crown is breaching Te Tiriti o Waitangi failing to protect Te Iwi Māori from climate change impacts.” says Green Party Māori Development Spokesperson, Hūhana Lyndon. “The Government is willing to trash our taiao to pay...

Posted at February 16, 2024 1:46 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

Cruel move to put tobacco profit over people’s health

Sacrificing the health of our rangatahi to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy few is a deeply cynical move and shows this Government is more influenced by lobbyists than evidence.“This National, Act and New Zealand First Government will go down in history as one of the most harmful, anti-evidence governments New Zealand has ever had. There is simply no defencece for prioritising tobacco profit over the health of people,” says the Green Party’s health spokesperson, Hūhana Lyndon.  “Good health...

Posted at December 13, 2023 2:21 PM by Hūhana Lyndon