The Green Party is calling for a cross-party commitment to guaranteeing at least a living wage and safe working conditions to people seeking employment, instead of continuing benefit sanctions.

The Greens are the only party with a comprehensive plan to support people on low incomes so everyone in and out of work has enough to make ends meet and provide for their families.

The Government’s employment initiatives led by the Ministry of Social Development must guarantee liveable incomes and fair working conditions, the Green Party says. 

The Government needs to clear the debt that MSD has forced hundreds of thousands of low income people to take on, says the Green Party.

The Green Party is calling on Labour to expand the temporary cost of living payment to those most in need.

Mr Speaker, It has taken four-and-a-half years to even start to turn the legacy of inaction and neglect from the last time they were in Government together. And we have a long journey in front of us!

The Green Party says the Government needs to do more for those on the lowest incomes as inflation outpaces wage and benefit increases.

The Green Party says urgent action is needed to soften the blow of inflation for New Zealanders on the lowest incomes.

Stats NZ’s monthly rental and food price indexes released today continue to show that over the last 12 months the essentials have gotten increasingly expensive for thousands of New Zealanders.

The Green Party has published an open letter to the Prime Minister calling for an immediate rent freeze and for that to remain in place until rent controls are made meaningful and permanent.