Articles by Scott Willis

services and systems

Greens call on Government to act on power bills before winter

The Green Party is calling on the Government to use every tool they have as shareholding Ministers of the major gentailers to bring power bills down before winter, after new data shows tens of thousands more households can't afford to keep warm."No New Zealander should be left in the cold and dark this winter while the Government's own power companies are banking record profits," says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.  In a letter to both Ministers, Swarbrick sets out the steps the Government can take immediately to keep...

Posted at May 11, 2026 12:13 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick and Scott Willis

services and systems

More oil and gas poured on climate fire as Govt reopens exploration

The Government announcing the re-opening of permits for oil and gas exploration is just the latest sign they care little for the climate crisis or the cost-of-living crisis climate change will exacerbate.“Nothing says climate leadership like opening new oil and gas fields in the middle of a climate crisis,” says the Green Party’s Energy spokesperson, Scott Willis. “Shane Jones’s notion that this is the solution to our energy crisis is farcical. This will mean higher fossil fuel emissions and ultimately,...

Posted at September 25, 2025 1:59 PM by Scott Willis

services and systems

Budget to increase energy hardship

Budget 2025 delays our transition to a low emissions and low-cost energy network, this will put even more pressure on households, businesses and the climate. “This Budget doesn’t leave enough to keep the lights on, let alone spark the transition towards a low-emissions and low-cost electricity network,” says the Green Party’s Spokesperson for Energy, Scott Willis. “Stripping $56 million from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority comes on top of last year’s vicious cut. This cut is effectively delivering energy hardship...

Posted at May 22, 2025 4:21 PM by Scott Willis

Dunedin Futures report should be a wake-up call

The newly released report on the South Dunedin Future Programme must be a wake-up call for our Government.“Climate delay is the new denial. Failure to act now will see the future of communities like South Dunedin swamped in floods,” says the Green Party’s Dunedin Issues spokesperson, Scott Willis. “The local community, iwi, researchers and both local councils have all pulled together to create a plan for a future we can all be excited for. All we need is for the...

Posted at March 14, 2025 8:48 AM by Scott Willis

services and systems

Job losses from Kinleith Mill closure devastating

The hundreds of jobs lost needlessly as a result of the Kinleith Mill paper production closure will have a devastating impact on the Tokoroa community - something that could have easily been avoided. “If our regions are to not only survive but thrive, they are going to need much more support than they are currently getting,” says the Green Party spokesperson for Regional Development Scott Willis. “This is absolutely devastating for this community and especially for Tokoroa, the heart of the...

Posted at February 14, 2025 11:56 AM by Scott Willis

services and systems

Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex

The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa.“Methanex has enjoyed a free ride for far too long, costing our communities and our energy security,” says the Green Party Energy spokesperson Scott Willis. “We can build an energy network that works for people and planet. Lower emissions and lower household costs go hand in glove.  “The...

Posted at December 16, 2024 1:30 PM by Scott Willis

services and systems

Fossil fuel lobbyist appointment to EECA board called out

The Green Party condemns the Government’s appointment of a fossil fuel lobbyist to the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority Board.“The appointment of a fossil fuel lobbyist to this board is like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse,” says the Green Party Spokesperson for Energy, Scott Willis. “This shows how entrenched climate denial is at the heart of this Government and completely flies in the face of the Authority’s mandate to promote energy efficiency. It’s also an insult to...

Posted at December 06, 2024 5:30 PM by Scott Willis

services and systems

Greens echo OECD call for electricity market reform

The Green Party has welcomed the OECD urging the Government to re-examine separating ‘gentailers’ to make a fairer electricity market for New Zealanders.“Our electricity market is failing people and planet, it is in desperate need of reinvention,” says the Green Party Energy Spokesperson Scott Willis. “The future is renewable energy, but the foundations of the current market have locked gentailers into using fossil fuels while locking new entrants and renewables out. We need political leadership to dismantle the monopoly and...

Posted at December 06, 2024 12:43 PM by Scott Willis

culture and innovation

Govt guts funding for social sciences and humanities

The Government’s decision to axe all Humanities and Social Science research funding through the Marsden Fund is a massive step backwards.  “Social sciences are critical in shining a light on some of the injustices and inequalities of society, things this Government would prefer to keep in the dark,” says the Green Party Spokesperson for Science and Research Scott Willis. “We can and must invest in social science research, it forms a critical part of the ongoing critique and improvement of the...

Posted at December 04, 2024 1:50 PM by Scott Willis

Govt set to break promise on Dunedin Hospital

The Green Party is calling on the Government to honour its promise to Dunedin and build its new hospital to full capacity. “Failing to build the hospital to what was promised would be a complete betrayal and an utter kick in the guts for Dunedin,” says the Green Party Spokesperson for Dunedin Issues, Scott Willis. “Healthcare is a human right and something Dunedin deserves. We need to invest in our health system so it’s fit to cater to the needs of...

Posted at September 26, 2024 1:43 PM by Scott Willis

services and systems

Job losses from mill closures consequence of Govt inaction

Hundreds of jobs lost as a result of pulp mill closures in the Ruapehu District are a consequence of government inaction in addressing the shortfalls of our electricity network. “These closures and job losses are a damning indictment on the Government’s failure to address chronic flaws in our electricity market,” says the Green Party Energy Spokesperson Scott Willis. “We can build an electricity network that puts people and planet before profit, one that supports our communities without costing our climate. But...

Posted at September 10, 2024 5:44 PM by Scott Willis

services and systems

Fossil fuels never the answer in climate crisis

The Government’s moves to enable the import of Liquefied Natural Gas is another step away from the sustainable and affordable energy network that this country needs.“Investing in fossil fuels in the middle of a climate crisis is like buying stocks in the Titanic. Fossil fuels are a sinking ship we cannot afford to tie our future to,” says the Green Party Energy spokesperson, Scott Willis. “We can build a more sustainable and affordable energy network that puts people and planet...

Posted at August 26, 2024 4:48 PM by Scott Willis

services and systems

Energy giants treating households like cash machines

The Green Party is calling on the Government to step in as New Zealand’s four energy giants continue to pay outrageous dividends to shareholders while thousands of people struggle to keep warm.A new report out today by NZCTU, 350 Aotearoa and First Union shows that the big four big electricity companies continue to funnel billions of dollars into the pockets of shareholders instead of investing in clean, affordable energy.  “We can have lower household bills, and an energy system that...

Posted at December 14, 2023 2:42 PM by Scott Willis