Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage and the New Zealand Conservation Authority have directed the Department of Conservation (DOC) to undertake partial reviews of the Conservation General Policy and the General Policy for National Parks, to give better effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The direction is in response to the recent Supreme Court decision in Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, a case which examined the way DOC considered Treaty principles when it granted two commercial tour concessions on Rangitoto and...

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 latest Safety of Children in Care report shows the current processes of the state are not keeping tamariki safe, says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.   “This affirms what people have been saying for a long time, that the state is not a suitable caregiver for tamariki. The current processes for keeping children are simply not working and are causing harm.   “The statistics for tamariki Māori in particular are appalling.   “I have spoken directly to children and...

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...

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...

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.

The Green Party has reiterated its commitment to universal te reo Māori in schools, following National’s education announcement yesterday. “It’s good that National is open to Kiwi kids learning a second language and te reo Māori should be at the front of the queue. We want a more ambitious plan for te reo Māori in schools, and the Green Party will make that happen in government,” said Māori development spokesperson Marama Davidson. “Te reo Māori is one of the official...

The Green Party is calling on Television New Zealand (TVNZ) to uphold its commitment to Māori programming and rethink their proposal to axe the dedicated Māori commissioner.

The Green Party is today acknowledging the people of Parihaka as they sign a reconciliation package with the Crown. A Crown delegation, including Green MPs, will be welcomed onto Parihaka today, where Minister for Treaty Negotiations Christopher Finlayson will read an apology to the people of Parihaka for past acts of aggression. “The Green Party sends our aroha and congratulations to all descendants of Parihaka on this historic day,” Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said. "Today is hugely significant for...