Youth Parliamentarians pass motion declaring climate emergency

The 2019 Youth Parliament has declared a climate emergency via a motion in the Parliament.

The motion was put forward by Chlöe Swarbrick’s youth MP Luke Wijohn, after concerted work from all Youth MPs in the Green Party caucus.

Green spokesperson for Youth Chlöe Swarbrick said:

“Our rangatahi are doing what some adults in this Parliament refuse to do – they’re recognising the need for urgent and immediate climate action.

“It should be called what it is, an emergency.

“It is a shame that the National Party have so far refused to work constructively to implement and plan action needed, but I hold hope that this signal from their Youth MPs will be enough to get their heads out of the sand.”

Youth MP Luke Wijohn said:

“I am proud to have been able to speak for New Zealanders my age who are so worried about our futures.

“It has been so frustrating to watch some of our elected representatives try and deny a climate emergency. The science tells us it is and we should be treating it as such.

“Rangatahi my age can’t vote, so the least politicians can do is pay attention to what we’re saying is necessary to protect our future.

“I’m glad the youth parliament were able to get this motion across the line”.

Action

Oppose New Zealand First’s Member’s Bill!

Support Trans Rights | Oppose the Gender Definition Bill

Action

Reject the Defining Gender Bill

Reject the Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill introduced by New Zealand First.

Action

Disability Support System - Submission Guide

Uphold disability rights so disabled people and their whānau can thrive. Oppose the Disability Support Services Bill

Action

Oppose the 2026 budget

Sign our petition to show you oppose the Government's 2026 budget

Action

Leave our homes alone!

The Green Party is calling on the Government to stop its attack on people living in public housing - join our call today!

Action

Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill Submission Guide

Support Green MP Kahurangi Carter’s Bill to protect overdose emergency callers from legal risks!

Action

Keep Fees Free

Join our call to keep Fees Free for tertiary education!

Action

Protect Conservation Land

Sign out petition to oppose the Conservation Amendment Bill and protect conservation land!

Action

Stop the Fisheries Amendment Bill

Sign today to protect our moana.

Action

Electrify everything

Show your support for a National Electrification Plan!

Action

A home for everybody

A home for everybody - sign and share the open letter today!

Action

Tell us your stories about our special places

Share with us your stories about the places threatened by being fast tracked for mining permits.

Action

Protect our tamariki - Sign the open letter

Every child in Aotearoa deserves to grow up with safety and stability, wrapped in aroha. Sign our open letter today and help make that a reality!

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Climate Change Announcements

Story

Treasury confirms $5 billion bill for Luxon's climate inaction

Treasury has put a price tag on Luxon's Government's climate inaction, with new analysis showing it could cost up to $5 billion to buy the offshore...

Budget 2026 confirms Luxon’s climate ‘plan’ is a trashfire

Budget 2026 confirms the Government has no plan to meet our commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement, at a cost that previously Treasury calcul...

Luxon quietly borrows $1.4 billion more to hide climate failure

The Green Party has revealed Luxon's failed climate policies have created a $1.4 billion fiscal hole, after the Government's retreat on climate cau...

Luxon’s Government found breaching trade agreements again

Today’s report from Lawyers for Climate Action shows that Luxon’s handouts to fossil fuel companies likely breach New Zealand’s trade agreement wit...

NZ democracy at risk of corporate corruption - Green Party backs urgent inquiry

Allegations that the Prime Minister’s office withheld information about backroom lobbying by major climate polluters - ahead of legislating to prev...

Luxon protects polluters’ profits in sweeping, rushed climate change law amendment

The Government’s surprise announcement this morning to amend the Climate Change Response Act is yet another example of Luxon loosening the leash fo...

Story

Time to shut down failed Youth Justice Residences

The Green Party is calling for Youth Justice Residences to close, following a protest in which a group of young people spent the night on the roof ...

Youth Policy

Vision We envisage Aotearoa New Zealand to be a place where young people feel valued, connected, loved, and empowered. Wherever we are, when we l...

Story

More Free Mental Health Support for Young People

The Green Party welcomes the expansion of free youth mental health support announced today, says Green Party mental health spokesperson Chlöe Swarb...

Greens announce free counselling for young people

The Green Party in government will fund free counselling for all New Zealanders aged 25 and under as part of a $260 million youth mental health pac...

NZ First putting politics before child protection

NZ First has chosen to put political game playing ahead of the safety of children by proposing a referendum on the ten year old amendments to the C...

Government must raise the age of youth justice

The Green Party is joining with youth, justice and disability groups in calling on the National Government to raise the age of youth justice to inc...