The extra 11,000 Kiwis now out of work as a result of National’s economic mismanagement shows the Government’s plan is not working for all New Zealanders, the Green Party says. The September quarter Labour Market Statistics show unemployment up to six percent, or 151,000 people, today. “The unemployment rate was 4.6% when the National Government came to power. Seven years under its watch has seen unemployment rise to 6.0%,” said Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw. “However you assess it, that’s...

The Green Party is calling on the Government to follow the lead of our future king and stop investing public money in fossil fuels. “This week’s visit by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall is an opportunity for the Government to hear the Prince’s views on the need for governments and businesses to divest from industries causing climate change, such as oil, coal, and gas,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw.   “The Green Party’s Bill, the Climate...

The Government should invest in Kiwibank so it can fully compete with the big Australian-owned banks that are draining their profits out of our economy, the Green Party said today. The big four Australian-owned banks made a record $4.5 billion combined after-tax profits in the 2015 financial year. “The Government should take action to keep more money in New Zealand and force the big Aussie banks to be more efficient, by investing in Kiwibank so it can compete properly,” Green...

The Government’s failure to place a price on agriculture emissions, as recommended by Ministry for the Environment officials, is hurting New Zealand’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and also hurting farmers who must plan for the future, the Green Party said today. Carbon News has today released  information gained through an OIA that shows the Ministry for the Environment officials advised the Government to include agriculture in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) when it is reviewed later this year. “National’s apparent...

Former Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman will today give his valedictory speech in Parliament, wrapping up seven years as an MP and nine years as Co-leader during which he put climate change and smart green economics on the political agenda. Green Party Co-leaders Metiria Turei and James Shaw both expressed their warmest thanks to Dr Norman today, paying tribute to his huge contribution over nine years as a co-leader of the Greens, and 18 years of involvement with the Party....

The Foreign Minister must confirm whether New Zealand will be supporting Australia’s bid for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Green Party said today.

Green Party Co-leader James Shaw has renewed his call for cross-party action on climate change at today’s trans-transman Environmental Defence Society Climate Change and Business Conference, saying a lack of policy stability is letting business down. “Increasingly business leaders are wanting to lead on climate, and are exasperated at the Government’s lack of political leadership on these issues,” said Mr. Shaw. “National has turned their back on business certainty and price stability by weakening the ETS and rejecting offers of...

New data released by the Green Party today shows that New Zealand is contributing far less than other comparable countries to a fund that helps developing countries combat climate change. This revelation comes amidst significant climate talks taking place this week in Bonn, and shows New Zealand’s pledge to the Green Climate Fund sits at just NZ$0.88 per person, compared to the average pledge of NZ$12.46. “The Green Climate Fund is one of the most important ways that developed nations...

The Green Party is challenging Prime Minister John Key to tell New Zealanders what his next step will be, following his failure, over the weekend to secure any meaningful concessions on Kiwis detained in Australia.

The National Government’s plans for emissions reduction will melt Antarctica if all other countries follow our lead, the Green Party said today. New research published today in Nature magazine led by Nick Golledge, at Victoria University’s Antarctic Research Centre, has confirmed that Antarctica’s ice cap will melt unless ambitious action is taken to start reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the next five years. “If most countries followed New Zealand’s lead, global warming would exceed 3–4°C leading to major losses of...