Articles by Lan Pham

$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

Bill would protect public conservation land this Government wants to mine

Green Party Member Lan Pham's Bill to prohibit mining on conservation land has been drawn from the ballot today. "Conservation land belongs to all of us. It is set aside to protect native plants, wildlife and the places New Zealanders love, not to be dug up for private profit," says Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham.  "This Bill simply protects conservation land in the way most New Zealanders would expect. It keeps conservation land for protection for everyone to enjoy, not exploitation for a few. It shuts the door...

Posted at May 21, 2026 4:44 PM by Lan Pham

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

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

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

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

nature and climate

Greenpeace nitrates research proves need for strong freshwater regulation

The Green Party is welcoming the release of an interactive map which enables people to monitor nitrate levels in their drinking water.“The research released today shows just how disastrous the new Government’s plan to roll back freshwater protections would be, particularly for rural communities,” says Green Party MP, Lan Pham. “Everyone should be able to swim in and take kai from clean, healthy rivers and drink water without fear of becoming sick. “But right now the health of our rivers,...

Posted at November 27, 2023 12:46 PM by Lan Pham