The decision announced today by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to refuse a consent to mine the sea bed of the unique Chatham Rise for phosphate is fantastic news for our environment, oceans and fisheries, the Green Party said today.

Data released today by Statistics New Zealand shows that the Government is not doing enough to close the digital divide between those who have internet access and those who don’t, said the Green Party. Over 340,000 households – one in four – don’t have internet access, and this rises to as much as 45% of households in poorer areas. Green Party ICT spokesperson Gareth Hughes said: “Programmes like Computers in Homes can reach 1500 households a year with current levels...

The Green Party is urging Wellington City Councillors to take on board Prime Minister John Key’s comments and not vote today to hold up progress on cycleways. At yesterday’s post-Cabinet press conference Mr Key said: “I think we’ve got the capacity with the government resources, and working with the council, to complete some of those cycleways in a reasonable timeframe. I don’t know why the council is slow at the moment on these particular issues given the mayor is a...

Students have become significantly poorer since National took office according to recently released data, the Green Party said today.

Government inaction is allowing the big power companies to discourage the nascent solar power sector, the Green Party said today.

National has announced 15 new drilling permits today that include permits in the Maui’s Marine Mammal Sanctuary, Victoria Forest Park, other ecologically protected areas and the deepest well ever permitted in New Zealand.  It appears that they have granted a permit that would allow oil drilling in deeper water than ever before anywhere in the world.

Big electricity companies are using their power to make it harder for families and businesses wanting to go solar and the National Government is doing nothing to help them, the Green Party said today. Meridian Energy announced today a 60-72 percent cut in the rate it buys excess solar from homes and businesses. Meridian’s current buy-back rates are 25 cents for the first 5 kWh per day and 10 cents thereafter. The new rates will be 7 cents/kWh in summer...

New analysis done by the Green Party today shows the Government has made cuts to funding of tertiary education since 2008.

The Green Party will stop National's campaign of punishing tertiary students and do more than any other party to support young Kiwis into study, Green Party students spokesperson Gareth Hughes said today. Mr Hughes was responding to a New Zealand University Students Association survey of 5000 students, published today, showing nearly half of all fulltime students were in significant financial distress and 44 % reported not having enough to meet their needs. "Encouraging more young New Zealanders into higher levels...