The Government must restore some of the millions of dollars it has eroded from the health budget, in order to avoid medical workers’ conditions being cut, and head off impending strike action, the Green Party said today. People who work at Auckland’s three District Health Boards’ (DHB) have announced they will strike on April 8th over moves to cut the pay of new medical staff and reduce the working conditions of current staff in order to fund expanded services in...

The Health Minister should follow the bold move of the UK chancellor who overnight announced he’d introduce a sugar levy on soft drinks, a move that is being tipped to “take over the world”, the Green Party says. UK Chancellor George Osborne is being hailed as a hero for children after overnight introducing a sugar levy on soft drinks from 2018. New Zealand Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has repeatedly refused to introduce a similar levy here, despite advice to do...

The Green Party expresses its sorrow over the passing of New Zealand cricketing legend Martin Crowe. “Martin Crowe was an inspirational leader in New Zealand cricket, and an extraordinarily talented guy who shone on the international stage,” Green Party MP Kevin Hague said. “I would like to extend my sympathies to his family. “Martin’s prodigious talent meant that we won many cricket games that perhaps we shouldn’t have. “He has been an influential batting coach to some of the stars today,...

The Government must be 100 percent clear with New Zealanders about whether it’s preparing to cave in to US pressure over extending patent protections in the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) that would make biologic medicines more expensive, the Green Party said. Reports from the USA suggest the pharmaceutical industry is pushing the US Government to force Australia and New Zealand to accept a longer patent period that would raise the cost of medicines, before the deal is signed on...

Latest data proves the Government's hands-off approach to obesity, and refusal to limit the junkfood industry's influence, has had devastating impacts on childrens' health, the Green Party says. The Ministry of Health's annual health survey, quietly released this afternoon, found one in nine children aged two to 14 were obese and adult obesity rates had massively increased over the past three to four years. "This is the latest in an ever increasing pool of proof that the Government's kowtowing to...

The National Government needs to investigate links between anti-biotic resistance and herbicides including the commonly used herbicide glyphosate after news that an anti-biotic resistant strain of campylobacter is now present in New Zealand, the Green Party said today. “Glypohosate, the active ingredient in Roundup weedkiller, is commonly sprayed on GE soy crops around the world. GE soy is widely used in chicken feed in New Zealand, yet herbicide residue levels are not tested for in animal feed. “University of Canterbury’s...

The Green Party wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and fans of Jonah Lomu. “Today is a very sad day for New Zealand; we have lost an icon,” said Green Party sports and recreation spokesperson Kevin Hague. “Jonah Lomu is the most famous and beloved rugby player the world has ever seen; he had an undeniable impact around the globe, including in places where rugby isn’t commonly played. “Jonah loved nothing more than tearing up a...

The Government has already broken a key election promise by reneging on a pledge to make all doctors’ visits for under 13 year olds free, the Green Party says. Documents obtained by the Green Party show that the Government decided to fund only 90 percent of doctors’ visits for children suffering from an injury in an attempt trim the cost of the so-called “free” visits. “This makes a lie of the promise to provide free doctors’ visits for all children...

The Green Party has asked the Auditor General to investigate serious conflicts of interest over Food and Grocery Chief Katherine Rich’s membership on the board of the Health Promotion Agency (the Agency). “I’ve asked the Auditor General to investigate because the Health Minister won’t,” Green Party health spokesman Kevin Hague said today. “Health Minster Jonathan Coleman’s complacency is alarming. “The Health Minister told me this week he is unconcerned about revelations Ms Rich has participated in meetings of the Agency...

National’s own fiscals confirm it plans big cuts to health and education, the Green Party said today. “National’s fiscals confirm the Green Party’s and BERL’s independent analysis that there will be sizeable cuts to health and education services,” Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman said today. “National will be cutting the education and health budgets by $1.5 billion which is around the size it plans to allocate for tax cuts, if they ever come. “With less than two weeks to go...