This Member's Bill sets out the Green Party’s priorities for strengthening our democracy. Why are we doing this? We're proud of our MMP system and want to strengthen it so New Zealanders from all walks of life have the best possible access to their democratic system. Successive governments have ignored issues with our electoral system and Electoral Commission recommendations to fix these issues.   What are the Greens proposing? The Green Party wants to see substantive reform in five areas: 1. Strengthening...

Freedom, justice, and peace underpin the Green Party’s vision of a world where the inherent dignity of all people is recognised, and all people have equal rights and responsibilities to contribute to decision-making. Democracy is of utmost importance Citizens should be empowered to participate in and contribute to communal well-being and be involved in local decision-making. Formal decision-making structures should cultivate collective decision-making through informed, inclusive, structured consensus-seeking dialogue, giving due weight and effect to the voices of the many...

Chlöe Swarbrick MP's Election Access Fund Bill was written to support disabled people in accessing and participating in elections and standing for political office. It establishes a contestable fund that will be administered by the Electoral Commission. The Fund may be used by any disabled candidate to cover disability-related costs of standing in a general election. These costs could include:  NZSL interpreter support for candidate forums, notetaker or transcribing costs, costs of translating material into braille, or travel costs to attend candidate...