The Green Party supports the findings of the People’s Mental Health Review, released today, and is calling on the Government to now do its job and hold an inquiry into our strained mental health system. “Time and time again we’re hearing stories of New Zealanders not being able to get the help they need. The Government needs to do right by those people and their families, and find out why,” Green Party health spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said. “People accessing...

     

Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter is grateful for having had the opportunity to talk to thousands of Aucklanders about making their city even better and even greener, during the Mt Albert by-election campaign.

Shifting the approval of cannabis-based products from the Minister to the Ministry of Health is a step in the right direction, but doesn’t go far enough to help the many New Zealanders who want and need access to them, the Green Party said today. Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has today delegated decision-making for prescribing cannabis-based products to the Ministry of Health. “Peter Dunne has removed one hoop New Zealanders have had to jump through to get access to medical...

An independent review into the mental health system in Wellington following five homicides has found serious failings, and highlights the need for a nationwide mental health inquiry, the Green Party said today. “The serious issues with Wellington mental health services should not be ignored, and neither should the problems that are plaguing our mental health system throughout the country,” said Green Party health spokesperson Julie Anne Genter. “We have heard countless stories of people not getting the help that they...

Minister of Health Jonathan Coleman needs to stand up for the health of all Kiwi kids, recognise he got it wrong, and move to implement a sugary drinks tax, the Green Party said today. The New Zealand Dental Association and its partner organisations, including Diabetes NZ and the Cancer Society, have today issued a joint statement calling for a sugary drinks tax, to help combat our growing childhood obesity problem. “The way this is going, the Minister of Health will...

The Green Party today released its updated drug law reform policy, which would regulate access to cannabis and allow for medicinal cannabis. “The Green Party’s cannabis policy is evidence-based, and is focussed on ensuring New Zealanders’ health and wellbeing,” Green Party health spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said today. “Current cannabis laws are out of date and causing harm, including the criminalisation of individuals and families.  “A harm-minimisation approach means that people’s mental and physical wellbeing is prioritised ahead of criminalising...

Children drinking a cup of fizzy or other sweetened drink a day shows ingrained habits undermine public health and that the National Government needs to tax sugar-sweetened drinks, the Green Party said today. Whanau Pakari, a study from Taranaki about overweight children, showed the median intake of sweet drinks is 250mls a day, while some children are drinking two litres daily of sugary drinks. “The Minister of Health needs to stand up for the health of all Kiwi kids, bring...

Record numbers of New Zealanders reaching out for help   Record numbers of New Zealanders are reaching out for mental health help and the Government needs to ensure that services are properly prepared and resourced to assist people, the Green Party said today.   The annual report of the Office of the Director of Mental Health shows an increase from 143,060 people seeking help in 2011 to 162,222 people in 2015.   “More New Zealanders than ever are reaching out...

Results from the New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) show that many young Kiwis are not getting the primary healthcare that they need, the Green Party said today. There has been an increase in the number of 15-24-year-olds who can’t afford to see their GP, from 12.3 percent to 16.2 percent. This represents 108,000 young New Zealanders who are not able to access the healthcare that they need. “Our young people need to be able to go to their GP when...