Category: New Zealand Legislature

Source: Green Party

The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill.

“Tens of thousands are mobilising across the country against a divisive waste of time cooked up in secret by three men,” says Green Co-Leader, Chlöe Swarbrick.

“It’s time for the 123 Members of this Parliament to take personal, individual responsibility for whether the Treaty Principles Bill nonsense goes any further.

“During the election campaign, National MPs told the public they would not support this Bill. Christopher Luxon now keeps saying that the party will definitely vote it down if it gets to Second Reading. The Prime Minister is telling us that he intends to whip his MPs to vote differently at First Reading to what they campaigned on a year ago.

“That could mean our country’s precious energy and focus being poured into this imported, divisive culture war for months as this plays out at Select Committee. But that’s not inevitable. If MPs were free to vote with their conscience, I am confident many would align with regular New Zealanders, and put this rubbish in the bin where it belongs,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care.

“When a journalist is barred from doing their job, just because they asked the Prime Minister difficult questions, it sets a dangerous precedent,” says the Green Party’s Media and Communications spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon.

“Aaron Smale is a highly respected journalist who has rigorously covered issues around the abuse in state and faith-based care. As a society that values the role of the fourth estate, we should value the work of journalists like Aaron, because it helps us take a critical look at where we have gone wrong and how we may move forward. 

“We all know that Christopher Luxon doesn’t like it when journalists persist with tough questions. But it’s another thing altogether to place a ban on such journalists simply for doing their job.

“It demonstrates a lack of understanding of, and tolerance for, the critical role that media plays in holding those in public office to account, on behalf of New Zealanders.

“This is likely to create a chilling effect on other journalists who may be wary of asking probing questions of the Prime Minister or Government in future.

“Barring a leading journalist from an important event like this speaks to this Government’s lack of accountability. It is something we might expect in Putin’s Russia, not 21st century Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Let’s stand up for transparency and accountability by Government, and make it clear that our country does not punish journalists for doing their job,” says Hūhana Lyndon.

Source: Green Party

For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place.

“An apology without accountability – or worse, actively perpetuating the same harms – is nothing more than empty air” says the Green Party’s Spokesperson for Children, Kahurangi Carter.

“This Government has a responsibility to ensure that no one ever again suffers the horrific abuses these survivors have. The Government must fully implement all 138 recommendations which resulted from the Inquiry, honour the principles of Te Tiriti, and critically, stop the boot camp programmes that perpetuate colonial tools of control.

“The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care provided us with harrowing testimony from survivors as well as invaluable insight into how we failed as a society and how we must change. The recommendations for how to address this legacy of abuse are clear. But what’s also clear is that the Government’s policies are going in a different direction.

“Labelling children and young people as serious offenders and sending them to boot camps while removing Treaty provisions in the Oranga Tamariki Act is resorting to the very patterns that drove the abuse detailed in the Inquiry. These rangatahi are among the most neglected, abused, and vulnerable in our society – the last thing they need is more punishment and cultural dislocation.

“The Government is unapologetic for pursuing the same policies that harmed the very survivors they are this week apologising to. This is an affront to approximately 250,000 survivors.

“Without actioning the Inquiry’s recommendations, history is doomed to repeat itself, entrenching the cycle of abuse against our most vulnerable who have been disproportionately affected by abuse in state and faith-based care. Māori, Pasifika, Deaf, disabled, those experiencing mental distress, impoverished and Rainbow tamariki have borne the brunt of this abuse.

“The Green Party would ensure that the lessons of the abuse in care inquiry are taken on board by stopping boot camps and replacing youth residences with local community-based support for rangatahi and their whānau.

“We acknowledge and thank all those survivors, whānau, hapū, iwi, communities and support networks who advocated and told their stories throughout the Inquiry,” says Kahurangi Carter.

The Green Party petition to stop the bootcamps can be found here: Ditch the Bootcamps – action.greens.org.nz

Source: Green Party

The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. 

“Climate action is more urgent than ever, but this Government is taking Aotearoa backwards,” says Green Party Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Teanau Tuiono.

“The Government needs to start taking our pledges under the Paris Agreement seriously and increase our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).The Commission’s advice shows that domestic emissions reduction efforts can take us a long way in meeting these pledges – if we put in the work now.”

“Delay is the new denial, and the longer the Government kicks the can down the road the worse things will be for our tamariki and mokopuna.

“We urge the Government to step up with bold, meaningful targets that match the scale of this crisis and start working on achieving emissions reductions at home that we know are completely possible. 

“The Commission makes it clear that reaching our international climate targets through decarbonising our industry, transport and energy is well within reach. However, this Government has put us in reverse when we need to be moving forward at full speed on this path.

“An approach which takes a high level of ambition towards reducing our domestic emissions is not only more equitable, but it would open up billions of dollars in clean energy investments, and directly benefit New Zealanders. 

“By making the right choices today at home, we can live up to our commitments under the Paris Agreement and set a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) that positions New Zealand as a credible and consistent climate leader. But we have to get going now. 

“With our Pacific Island neighbours bearing the brunt of climate impacts, New Zealand has a duty to lead by example. The Prime Minister’s statements at CHOGM need to be backed by concrete action. 

“The time for uncertainty has passed. This report shows that there are huge gains to be made – for both our country and the world – if New Zealand takes bold, clear actions now.” says Teanau Tuiono.

Source: Green Party

Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday.

“Satire is more than a joke – it’s also a way of making sense of a world that can sometimes feel dark and heavy,” says Kahurangi Carter.

“This Bill is designed to provide space for creators, artists, commentators, and everyday Kiwis to poke a little fun without breaking the law – or the bank. 

“In New Zealand, we’re renowned for our love of spoofs, parodies, and dark humour. But right now, our dry wit can get us into hot water. Artists are currently vulnerable to legal threat for making satire.

“Given the changing cultural landscape, with the prominence of social media, it’s clear we need to bring our law up to date, and into line with the laws of other developed countries, including Australia, the United States, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany.

“It’s a little ironic that we, a nation of quintessential dry-humour lovers, can’t lampoon and parody with the rest of the world without risk of breaching copyright. And yes, that includes making proper memes.

“This Bill protects artists’ right to freedom of speech, and in doing so helps protect our democracy. Humour is essential to a thriving democracy, with both parody and satire playing a critical role in public discourse. If it passes, big companies won’t be able to sue artists for being cool and funny.

“We’re thrilled to be able to champion in a new era, one where creatives and artists can reflect our culture with a bit of irony, wit and perhaps even the occasional tongue-in-cheek jab.

“I call on parties across the House to get behind this Bill at its First Reading early next year.” 

“I’m also looking forward to the enthusiastic support of the Free Speech Union” says Kahurangi Carter.

Notes:

• The Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill seeks to amend the Copyright Act 1994.
• The purpose of this Bill is to introduce into New Zealand copyright law the authority to use a copyright work for the purpose of parody or satire.
• It brings New Zealand’s law in line with the laws of other developed countries, including Australia, the United States, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany.
• It also allows for a much wider interpretation of current copyright law in favour of the public wishing to use copyright works through parody or satire to promote an issue freely under our understanding of freedom of speech.
• The amendment recognises the fact that our current copyright legislation is very much outdated in the 21st century world of Internet accessibility and freedom of information. The availability and forms of copyright works now take on far more forms than when the Copyright Act 1994 was first written, and New Zealand must adapt to this changing world.

Source: Green Party

The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. 

The three opposition parties are listening to the clear and unified voice of Te Iwi Māori. 

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is sidelining these voices and ignoring a scathing Waitangi Tribunal report, while pandering to a dangerous, reactionary fringe. It’s time for Christopher Luxon to stand by his word to Māori at Waitangi this year that he will “Honour the Treaty”.

“This Government is waging war on our existence as Māori and on the fabric of this nation. To all the people of Aotearoa, we need you. We need you all to join the Hīkoi for Te Tiriti. Tangata Whenua, Tangata Moana, Tangata Tiriti, this fight belongs to all of us,” Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said.

“We are a movement that leaves no one behind. We are uniting for the Aotearoa our mokopuna deserve to inherit. This kaupapa is bigger than each of us,” Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said.

“Governments come and go. Politicians come and go. Te Tiriti is foundational and enduring. Honouring Te Tiriti is the constitutional obligation of every Prime Minister – something Christopher Luxon must take personal responsibility for. Our nation has real, deep issues to deal with instead of this desperate, divisive, imported culture war,” Green Party Co-leader, Chlöe Swarbrick said.

“This bill fails to uphold the promises made in the Treaty and disregards the voices of Māori. It is essential that we protect the principles of partnership, participation, and protection that the Treaty embodies,” Labour leader Chris Hipkins said.

Labour Party, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on all New Zealanders mobilise with them against this bill and advocate for a future that respects Te Tiriti.

Source: Green Party

The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy.

“The US election result should be a wake-up call that our country must steer clear of the AUKUS military pact,” says the Green Party Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Teanau Tuiono.

“We cannot be hustled into a military alliance with the US, especially when it’s about to be led by a volatile firebrand with fascist leanings who cozies up to autocrats and dictators, and attacks the rights of women, immigrants, rainbow communities and the most vulnerable.

“Aotearoa New Zealand must return to the independent and principled approach to foreign affairs that we were valued for in the international community. We should use that position to advance climate action, protect nature, advocate for indigenous and human rights, and global justice.

“Advocating for, and working towards, peaceful solutions to the world’s conflicts must be an absolute priority for our country. Unfortunately, this Government is jeopardising our independent foreign policy voice and falling into line behind a march to conflict and great power antagonism that is reckless and unnecessary.

“The current, unstable geopolitical environment calls for cool heads. We should not be entering into any pillar of the AUKUS framework. Even if Pillar 2 is the so-called technology-only part of the agreement, it is still part of the same precarious project fixated on conflict with the west’s perceived enemies.

“The US involvement in the atrocities in Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East should serve as a warning to us that tying ourselves to the military projects of a state that allows or facilitates indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations is unacceptable.

“Let’s remain an advocate for diplomacy and dialogue, and pursue our independent voice in world affairs. That’s what other countries look to us for,” says Teanau Tuiono.