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...

The Green Party is applauding Christchurch City Council’s decision to restrict the use of glyphosate-based weed killers in spaces open to the public, and is calling on other councils around New Zealand to follow suit. Christchurch councillors voted yesterday to restrict the use of glyphosate – a probable carcinogen – in areas accessible to the public. The decision aligns with an ongoing campaign by the Green Party to limit the use of glyphosate in public streets and parks. “We’re pleased...

Ongoing protests against Australian mining company Newcrest on Mt Karangahake show why minerals exploration should be publicly notified and companies need to listen to community concerns before they start mining, the Green Party said. “Exploratory mining activities should go through a public notification process before they’re consented, to give communities an opportunity to have their voices heard,” Green Party Coromandel-based MP Catherine Delahunty said. “Hauraki District Council has failed its community by shutting people out of the resource consent process...

Auckland Council’s decision to replace safe hot water-based weed control with the potentially toxic herbicide glyphosate in playgrounds, parks, and streets raises questions about whether communities are having their desire to remain spray-free ignored, the Green Party said. On Friday, an attempt by two Auckland Councillors to return to using hot water-based weed management across the whole city was ruled out of order. “It looks like communities and local boards who want to be spray free are being ignored by...