Category: New Zealand Legislature

Source: Green Party

The Future is Up to Us released today by the Green Party is a clear vision of the future we can build together. 

The Green Party has also published an independent fiscal review of the policy priorities set out in The Future is Up to Us, which shows everything adds up; it’s all just a matter of political choice. 

“The bland proposals put forward by other parties do not represent our future. The future is up to us, and there is not one political party with a stronger say over our future than the collective will of New Zealanders,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.

“An election campaign should be about hope for the future. It is a chance for people to embrace their power to change the status quo. But all we have heard so far from political leaders are different versions of the same thing. 

“The two Chrises spend more time telling you who not to vote for – trying to scare you with how things will be under the other lot – than they do talking about how we build the future our tamariki deserve. It does not have to be this way. An election is a chance to tell your political leaders what you want Aotearoa to be. 

“For the next two weeks, let’s shift our attention away from the bleak posturing we’ve seen so far, and talk about the Aotearoa we can become – if we just had a government with the political guts to make it happen. 

“The Future is Up to Us is the Green Party’s plan to transform Aotearoa to work for everyone, not just the wealthy few. The independent fiscal review we’re also releasing today shows very clearly that everything adds up, it’s all just a matter of choice. 

“We can have an Aotearoa where everyone has enough to live good lives; where everyone has a warm, dry, affordable and accessible home, powered by cheap, clean solar energy; where everyone has access to free dental care; and where we have restored the health and mauri of the ocean. It is all possible with the right political decisions,” says Marama Davidson.

Regarding the independent fiscal review, Green Party co-leader James Shaw added: 

“A government with more Green Ministers would raise enough money from a fair tax system to support people to live good lives, guarantee everyone a warm, dry home, and take bold climate action. There is clearly enough to go around. Everything adds up. We just need a government with the political courage to make it happen.

“Right now, the wealthiest 311 families hold more wealth than half of all New Zealanders. That’s not an accident. It is the consequence of a system that taxes work rather than wealth. The independent review we are releasing today confirms that our evidence-based solutions will fix the fundamentals of our tax system to make sure everyone has enough to get by. 

“This includes our plan for an Income Guarantee of at least $385 per week. It includes a tax-free threshold of $10,000, more money in the back pockets of families raising kids, and free dental care for everyone. 

“Our Clean Power Payment, which will support people to cut their home energy bills with rooftop solar and other low carbon home upgrades, can also be fully met from the money we will raise from our biggest polluters. 

“Our plan to make sure people have accessible and climate-friendly ways of getting around our towns and cities will be met by reallocating existing funding and modest new borrowing. Moving Auckland’s planned tunnelled light rail to street-level will save enough money to build light rail in Christchurch and Wellington too. These are the political choices we need to be getting right. 

“Over the next two weeks, anything can happen. Don’t sit on the side lines – get out there and demand the future we deserve. A vote for the Green Party means more Green MPs and more Green Ministers at the decision-making table where we can make it happen,” says James Shaw.

Source: Green Party

The Green Party will double the Best Start payment and make it available for every child under three years of age – and it will be paid for with a fair tax system.

“Parents all over the country are being forced to cut back on food to pay the bills. Our plan to double the Best Start payment will help make sure parents and caregivers have everything they need to give their children the best possible start in life,” says Greens Co-leader Marama Davidson.

“One in 10 children are growing up in poverty. For Māori, it is one in five. How is it possible that in a wealthy country like ours there are thousands of children without enough to eat, a good bed, warm clothes, and decent shoes?

“What happens in the first three years of a child’s life can have an impact on the rest of their lives. When these early years are a time of stress for whānau, it can have long-term consequences for our kids and their wellbeing.

“That is why the Green Party would ensure all families have what they need for these early years, by doubling Best Start from $69 a week, to $140, and make it universal for all children under 3 years.

“This universal payment for the first three years recognises that just like in our older years through superannuation, the very first years of a new baby’s life are a time when every family needs extra support.

“Doubling Best Start and making it universal is part of the Green Party’s Income Guarantee – a fully costed plan to make sure everyone has enough for a decent life.

“Under this plan we’ll also reform Working for Families into a simpler, fairer system. This will provide a payment of up to $215 every week for the first child, and $135 a week for every other child, in addition to the Best Start payments. With the Green Party in Government, we can take action to guarantee every whānau has enough to get by no matter what.

“We will also continue the existing school lunch programme and expand it to reach another 135,000 tamariki.

“There is no reason for any child in Aotearoa to go hungry or to live in a damp, cold house. Poverty is a political choice. Our plan will provide lasting solutions that will guarantee everyone has what they need to live a good life and cover the essentials – even when times are tough.

“A vote for the Green Party is a vote for decent income and housing for all whānau, in climate-safe communities where people and nature. It’s a vote to pukids and their future first. Ko tēnei te wā,” says Marama Davidson.

Source: Green Party

The National Party’s job seeker policy announced today is heartless.

“National is deliberately and heartlessly choosing to make life harder for thousands of people. A National government would literally leave children to go hungry and punish families. It is cruel, ill-thought out, and will endanger the wellbeing of thousands of people. The policy goes against our shared values of caring for each other,” says the Green Party’s social development spokesperson, Ricardo Menéndez March.

“The Green Party’s plan will treat people with respect and dignity ensuring that no matter what, everyone will always have enough to cover life’s essentials. All paid for by a simple and fair tax on the wealthiest few. 

“That is in stark contrast to a National, ACT, NZ First government that will cause misery and hardship for those who need our support the most. Evidence shows that benefit sanctions do not help people into work – and yet National is making the choice to use them, knowing full well it will cause harm.

“The National Party has a long history of dehumanising people who struggle to get by on a day to day basis. Today is just the latest example of how out of touch they are with the reality of daily life for many of the people they say they want to represent.

“When times are tough, people need support – not punitive hoops to jump through right when they’re already struggling. Punishing people who are out of work will not magically create jobs.

“The Green Party’s Income Guarantee will ensure that no matter what happens, your income will never fall below $385 per week, after tax. For couples, our Income Guarantee will be at least $770, and a single parent will always have an income of at least $735.

“Poverty is a political choice – and the Green Party is the only party choosing to end it. Our plan will provide lasting solutions that will guarantee everyone has what they need to live a good life and cover the essentials – even when times are tough,” says Ricardo Menéndez March.

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is today welcoming Labour’s climate manifesto, but is clear that much more will need to be done to tackle the climate crisis.

“We are clearly on the same page about the need to cut emissions. National have said they’re committed to the targets but every policy they’ve announced will take us backwards. On the other hand, the Act Party have been completely upfront about just wanting to take us backwards,” says Green Party co-leader James Shaw.

“As far as we can tell, Labour’s plan is largely the existing work programme, and we know we need to do more in order to meet our emissions targets and prevent things from getting worse. The bold action we need will only happen with Green Ministers at the decision making table pushing for action in every area.

“As extreme weather events become the new normal, only a Green Minister for Climate Change will take action at the pace and scale needed.

“The list of what this government has achieved on climate change is remarkable – and would not have happened without the Green Party. The time is now to build on what we have achieved so we can finally bring emissions down permanently.

“The decisions the next government makes will shape our response to climate change for generations to come. I cannot think of anything more dangerous than a government with David Seymour and Winston Peters calling the shots.

“The only way to get the action we need, to make sure everyone can have what they need to live within the limits of a safe climate, is to make sure there are more Green MPs and Ministers around the decision making table,” says James Shaw

Source: Green Party

Labour’s plan to build more homes is a welcome step forward, but it lacks ambition.

“The Green Party will make sure everyone has a safe, warm, dry place to call home by building 35,000 new warm, affordable, public houses over the next five years,” says Green Party co-leader, Marama Davidson. 

“The time is now to scale up building new homes – not let it plateau at a level that falls short of the current build programme. If people want a government that will build thousands more affordable houses in the places people want to live, then only the Green Party will deliver it. 

“Under this Government, with the Greens’ support, Kāinga Ora is building more new public homes than it has for over a generation. The government is rightly proud of this, but there is much further to go. 

“Confusingly, Labour’s plan would actually slow the pace of house building instead of continuing to scale up – despite the desperate need for more public housing. 

“There are currently 4,500 public and transitional homes under construction. The Green Party has a plan to scale this up to 8000 per year by the end of 2026. Under Labour’s plan, the current programme will be tapering off instead of increasing. 

“This shows exactly why we need more Green Party Ministers around the decision-making table pushing Labour to do more. If we are around the table with Labour, Green Ministers would be setting out a plan for 35,000 new homes delivered with more funding and secure long-term contracts. 

“The point we would be making constantly is that stable contracts and long-term partnerships will enable the Government to smooth out boom-bust building cycles, maintain the scale of home-building and keep people’s jobs and livelihoods. 

“Aotearoa needs a government that will build thousands of high-quality homes where people can live, rest and thrive. The time is now to show the political courage necessary to increase the supply of safe, affordable places for people to live.,

“A party vote for the Greens will deliver more housing and clear the public housing waiting list in the next five years,” says Marama Davidson. 

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is today welcoming Labour coming to the table to ensure an amnesty for overstayers, but only the Greens will ensure immigration settings actually reflect the reality of people who have been failed by our immigration system.

“Migrants deserve to be treated with dignity and respect by our immigration system. But for many in our community, our immigration system has left them behind. They’ve fallen through the cracks, left vulnerable to exploitation, and denied the safety and security of a visa. The Greens will ensure that an amnesty for overstayers provides accessible residency pathways to everyone, not just those who’ve been here more than 10 years,” says Green Party immigration spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March.

“At the same time, we will reform the visa system so it is fairer, has realistic pathways to residency to avoid people falling through the cracks and stops exploitation”

“There are thousands of people in this country without a visa, which leaves them with little to no support when the going gets tough and at the mercy of exploitative employers. We’ve seen countless reports of overstayers facing modern slavery style conditions which is why an amnesty is so urgent.

“We are disappointed with the high bar Labour has set through the requirement for people to be in Aotearoa for 10 years to be eligible. It calls into question the claim it will benefit 20,000 people. The reality is that it will leave many overstayers who still have roots here exposed to exploitative conditions.

“Underlying the need for an amnesty is the unfairness of our immigration system. Many low-wage migrants are strung along on temporary visas with accredited employers year after year, with no pathway to residency – and only a job loss away from being considered an overstayer. This is cruel and exploitative and does not uphold the values of fairness in work that many of us hold.

“The Green Party has a track record of working with people who have been failed by the immigration system to stop unjust deportations and successfully changed Labour’s position on the issue.

“We’re disappointed Labour chose to leave an amnesty to the outcome of the election. The more Green MPs in Parliament, the more likely it is that we will be able to ensure an amnesty scheme that serves the needs of our communities, and overhaul the immigration system so that people do not become overstayers in the first place.

Green Party pacific peoples spokesperson Teanau Tuiono added:

“Three years ago Pacific community leaders and migrant groups launched a petition asking for an amnesty for overstayers and a pathway to residency. We’re glad Labour has finally done something, but it needs to go further.

“A broad amnesty for overstayers is the right thing to do to right the wrongs of an immigration system that has continued to fail our Pasifika and broader migrant communities,” says Teanau Tuiono.

Source: Green Party

Green Party co leader James Shaw attended a South Dunedin Future street meeting today to discuss local responses to climate change.

“The extreme weather events that Aotearoa has seen this year have been supercharged by climate change. How we go about building resilient and affordable communities that meet everyone’s needs despite the challenges of climate change will be a critical question for the next government. For the Greens, the answer is clear: we must slash our emissions, and take action to protect our homes and communities from extreme weather,” says Green Party co leader James Shaw.

“The climate crisis is no longer something that’s happening to someone else, somewhere else, at some point in the future. It’s happening to us, it’s happening here, and it’s happening now. South Dunedin is one of many communities across Aotearoa – including Queenstown just this week – that understand this clearer than ever.

“The Green Party is the only political party with a fully costed plan to both cut emissions and protect our communities from the impact of climate change. A key part of our plan is making sure places like South Dunedin can access a new $750 million Urban Nature Fund that will empower communities to create jobs restoring and protecting nature in towns and cities.

“We will also work with local organisations like South Dunedin Future to make sure that developers and councils are working together to construct homes and buildings designed to reduce emissions and handle extreme weather. A critical part of this will be ensuring much greater use of green spaces that not only provide a space to relax, but filter and drain flood waters.

“The decisions the next government makes will shape climate action in Aotearoa for the rest of this decade – and the rest of the century. Who is in government taking these decisions will have a huge impact on what the future looks like for communities like South Dunedin. I cannot think of anything more dangerous than a government with David Seymour and Winston Peters calling the shots.

“Our communities can be places where people and nature thrive, with warm and affordable homes powered by clean energy, accessible and climate-friendly ways of getting around, and healthy green spaces. But we need a government with the courage to do it,” says James Shaw.

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is calling on Auckland Council to do more to protect urban trees and housing developer Aedifice Property Group to restore and replant the native forest it cleared, and protect all the remaining trees on Ngahere Road in Pukekohe after a significant number of native trees were cut down.

“Our towns and cities can be places where people and nature thrive, with affordable homes alongside vibrant green spaces. We must build more homes while also protecting trees and native forest remnants in our communities,” said Green Party environment spokesperson Eugenie Sage.

“Visiting the site it was absolutely heart breaking to see the impact of felling these beautiful rakau. From their size and height, the trees appear decades old and were a distinctive feature of the site and the local landscape.

“Thanks to the Greens and the work of community groups, councils’ ability to protect significant trees has finally been restored in law. It’s deeply disappointing to see unnecessary felling continue and councils struggling to play catch-up to protect trees. New national direction in the National Planning Framework can’t come soon enough.

“The benefits of trees in communities are significant. Mature trees reduce noise, including vehicle noise, improve mental health and physical wellbeing, and provide habitats for plants and wildlife.”

“Urban trees soak up rain and reduce and slow stormwater run-off to streets and streams, they help prevent slips and soil erosion, sequester carbon, and provide welcome shade on the increasing number of hot days.”

“The Green Party’s plan for Climate Safe Communities includes making sure councils have better tools to protect mature trees while providing new housing – to prevent our urban forests being further destroyed.”

“By building better designed communities we can create new homes where people want to live and protect and enhance urban nature – for liveable, climate resilient cities,” says Eugenie Sage.

Source: Green Party

Labour has finally said it would continue free school lunches – and the Green Party is calling on every party to step up.

“Aotearoa can be a place where no child ever goes hungry, but to make that happen we will need to be a lot bolder. This election we have a chance to elect a government with the courage to unlock the money we need to make sure every child has a full puku,” says Green Party co leader Marama Davidson.

“The Green Party is pleased, and very relieved that Labour has finally committed to what it should have committed to months ago and said it will continue free school lunches.

“Only three days ago, I visited an Auckland school to see the difference free lunches are making to kids’ lives.

“It filled my heart with aroha to know those kids would be able to focus on their learning with a full belly. For some of those kids, it would be the only decent meal they get all day.

“I could not work out why Labour had made the call earlier this year not to extend funding for the programme. The anxiety felt by principals and students I’ve spoken to about the possibility of the programme not continuing is heart breaking.

“So the Green Party stepped in and promised not only to continue the existing school lunch programme but to expand it to reach another 135,000 tamariki.

“Right now, thousands of children across Aotearoa are going hungry. Families are struggling to cover the basics and far too many parents are forced to skip meals so their children can get something to eat.

“It’s a shame that instead of being confirmed as part of the government’s normal budget spending, the future of free school lunches has been put in doubt.

“Over the next 22 days, you will hear a very clear message from the Green Party: if you want a government that will tax the wealthiest few to make sure no child ever goes hungry, then that’s a vote for the Greens.

“Only the Green Party will put community wellbeing at the heart of education.

“Alongside our Income Guarantee, our planned expansion of free school lunches will support families with the rising cost of living and ensure that no matter what happens, tamariki can get a good lunch at school,” says Marama Davidson.

Source: Green Party

The Green Party will keep up the fight to support exploited migrant workers, including pushing to end single employer visas, after the government picked up Green recommendations to improve immigration settings.

“Only the Green Party will carry community voices into Parliament to keep up the fight for fair work rights. It’s time to end visas that bind people to specific employers,” says Ricardo Menéndez March, Green Party’s Immigration Spokesperson.

“We welcome people into our communities who want to make Aotearoa home, bringing their experiences, skills, and perspectives, but tying their visas to specific employers limits the choices migrants have and opens up opportunities for exploitation.

“The Green Party has long called for the Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa to provide better support, so we are pleased the government has finally taken on board this change. 

“Today’s announcement will provide important income support for migrants and should be made permanent. However, by continuing to keep so many workers’ ability to stay in the country and contribute to labour shortages tied to a single employer, migrant exploitation will continue to remain high. 

“It is critical the government addresses the policy settings that enable migrants to be exploited in the first place, rather than only addressing it once it has happened. By decoupling work visas from single employers we enable migrants to be able to leave exploitative conditions before it puts their wellbeing in peril.

“With more Green MPs, we can push for this change.

“The Green Party has been the only party campaigning to end the exploitative practice of binding migrants to a single employer following calls from unions, migrant rights advocacy groups and migrants themselves. 

“With a track record of securing gains for migrant communities this term the Greens will continue fighting to end migrant exploitation and better support victims,” says Ricardo Menéndez March.