The Green Party support the mana whenua of Ihumātao and their right to peacefully protect their land, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said today. “It is very sad that it has come to this, with police moving in to trespass people from their land. This is a continuation of colonisation and unjust land confiscation. “The mana whenua of Ihumātao have been maintaining a watchful presence on their land for the last four year years. They have planted gardens, shared knowledge...

The Government’s plan to integrate te reo Māori into education is showing promising progress, said Green Party Māori Development spokesperson Marama Davidson. “We owe everything to tangata whenua movements for bringing te reo Māori back from the brink to where it is today. It’s long overdue that the government has stepped up on its obligations to our language. “Te reo and kaupapa Māori education is a major priority for the Greens and upskilling our teachers is a vital first step...

The Green Party welcomes the Government’s move to provide a funding boost to kōhanga reo, said Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson. “We have seen huge progress revitalising te reo over recent decades, and we owe a lot to the kōhanga reo movement for their role in bringing te reo back from the brink to where we are today. “The government has a responsibility to ensure our indigenous language thrives in Aotearoa, and this begins with our tamariki. “Strengthening te reo...

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 welcome the survey on Māori support for legalisation and regulation of cannabis released today, says Green Party Māori Development spokesperson Marama Davidson.

Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson has re-affirmed the Party’s commitment to universal te reo in schools, and has announced that the Greens will now work with the education sector on a plan to make the language a core curriculum subject. “Our vision of a bilingual nation will only be reached when all of us are comfortable and confident with te reo Māori.  We have a responsibility to ensure that our indigenous language not just survives, but thrives in Aotearoa, and introducing all...

The Green Party has welcomed the establishment of the new Crown-Māori partnership on freshwater, Te Kāhui Wai Māori, and will continue to push strongly for Māori rights over water to be upheld, Co-Leader Marama Davidson said today. “We welcome the establishment of Te Kāhui Wai Māori as it sends a clear signal that this Government will engage robustly with tangata whenua on their rights to freshwater, as opposed to the previous Government who kicked the can down the road,” said...

The Green Party was saddened to learn yesterday of the passing of kapa haka veteran and Smear Your Mea campaign founder Talei Morrison.

Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson is today attending the 40th anniversary ceremony of the Takaparawhau/Bastion Point occupation to honour the legacy of Ngāti Whātua and their resistance to confiscation.

It was with great sadness that the Green Party learned of the passing of Ngāpuhi rangatira Kingi Taurua (Ngāti Rāhiri, Ngāti Rehia, Ngāti Whātua) yesterday.