Central government needs to resource local councils to protect our waterways, Green Party Water spokesperson Marama Davidson said today, following reports that corporate oil dumping into Otuwairoa stream in Papakura is killing eels.   “Eels are a tāonga and a sign of the health of our Creeks. It hurts to see our waterways being dumped in like this.   “This disrespectful and deliberate dumping shows why we need to be holding corporate polluters to account.   “We also need to...

The Green Party is disappointed that the Ngāi Tahu Representation Bill to increase tangata whenua representation on the Canterbury Regional Council was voted down at first reading today, says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. “While tangata whenua have guaranteed political rights on a national level, representation is often lacking or non-existent in local government. This does not always make for robust decision making and in the past has led to significant breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” Marama Davidson said. “Local governments are willing and ready to take this step forward in giving Māori a guaranteed voice in...

The Green Party is renewing its call to remove the double standard that allows for referendum on the establishment of only Māori wards from law.

The Green Party is disappointed that its Member’s Bill to enable better Māori representation in local government was voted down last night, but is vowing to continue its campaign to make it happen.

The Green Party has today entered a Member’s Bill into the ballot that would make local government representation more equitable by ensuring that the establishment of both Māori and general wards on district and regional councils follows the same legal process.

The Green Party will today support the Hurunui/Kaikoura Earthquake Recovery Bill through Parliament, after the legislation was significantly improved during the Select Committee process, following pressure from the Green Party and others. “We’d caution the Government to use the extraordinary powers in this Bill carefully and in partnership with communities to get quake- affected regions up and running again,” said Green Party civil defence spokesperson Jan Logie. “We hope the many new checks and balances in this Bill create a...

The Green Party is congratulating all Green winners in the local body elections for 2016 after hard fought campaigns, and welcomes the first Pasifika Green Party Councillor in Dunedin. In Wellington, City Councillors Sarah Free, Iona Pannett and David Lee were all re-elected, as was Wellington Regional Councillor Sue Kedgley. Lisa Bridson was re-elected to Hutt Eastern Ward & Capital and Coast DHB. Dunedin City Council’s Aaron Hawkins and Marie Laufiso were successful, as was Brent Barrett in Palmerston North....

The National Government should withdraw the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill (No. 2) in the face of overwhelming opposition from mayors and councils nationwide, the Green Party said. The Bill gives the Local Government Commission the power to give control of councils’ key functions and services to unelected Council Controlled Organisations, without councils’ agreement or consulting affected communities. “When so many mayors and councils are opposed to these antidemocratic changes being forced on them, the Government needs to withdraw...

The Green Party shares the concerns of councils and mayors around the country about the Government’s proposals to reduce the decision-making power of elected local representation through further amalgamations and Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs). Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt has come out opposing the Government’s local government bill, and at the recent Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) conference, nearly all LGNZ members voted for a remit opposing the changes. “The local voice needs to remain in local government, yet the Government’s proposed...

Auckland and Auckland Councillors must unite to support the Unitary Plan, because the alternative is more squabbling while families continue to be locked out of home ownership, the Green Party said today. “The average Auckland house price is nearly a million dollars and completely unaffordable for most people. The Unitary Plan is an important step towards fixing that,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei. “We’re pleased that the independent panel has recognised that if you want an affordable, liveable city...