Public Services

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

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

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

Procurement proposals pose risk to people and planet

The Green Party is concerned by the impact the Government’s proposed changes to procurement processes could have on people and planet.“These proposals are nothing more than an attempt to weaken workers’ rights and erode environmental protections,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.  “Instead of undermining the accountability and responsibility Government agencies have to our people and Papatūānuku, we should be empowering our workers and protecting our environment from exploitation. “This government’s idea of creating value is zero-sum, short-term, and extractive...

Posted at March 12, 2025 12:48 PM by Marama Davidson

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