Category: Green Party

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Candidates – Green Party selects Asher Wilson-Goldman as candidate for Kapiti

Source: Asher Wilson-Goldman

The Green Party has selected Waikanae resident Asher Wilson-Goldman as their candidate for the new Kapiti electorate at this year’s general election.

“I can’t wait to share the Greens’ positive vision for Aotearoa with Kapiti residents,” said Asher Wilson-Goldman.

“For too many people in our electorate, it’s harder now than it was three years ago to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads.

“The Greens have a plan to see nature thrive, and for everyone to have what they need to live a good life.

“I’ve helped lead some of the public sector’s largest pieces of work, so I understand the power of the public sector to improve lives, when we have a Government that supports them to do it.

“Locally I’ve volunteered my time helping to set up Predator Free Kāpiti Coast, sorting through donations to the Kāpiti Foodbank, and advising Council on improving walking, cycling and horse riding access for recreation and transport.

“I’m a relentless advocate for Kāpiti every chance I get, and I’d love to take my voice to Parliament to fight for better healthcare, better housing and real action on climate change.

“By giving your party vote to the Greens this November, you’ll be part of our movement for stronger communities and a healthy planet,” said Asher Wilson-Goldman.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/13/candidates-green-party-selects-asher-wilson-goldman-as-candidate-for-kapiti/

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Green Party announces 14 Māori candidates in the initial candidate list for the 2026 General Election

Source: Green Party

The Green Party announces 14 Māori candidates in the Delegate List for the 2026 General Election, which will now inform the membership voting process.

Co-Leader Marama Davidson says, “our diverse Māori candidates are supported by whānau, hapū and iwi, further strengthening Māori voice in the Green Party and across the motu. I am proud that our list reflects the importance of our staunch Māori candidates to our Party.”

The Māori candidates on the list with their ranking number are:

1. Marama Davidson

3. Teanau Tuiono

4. Tamatha Paul

6. Hūhana Melanie Lyndon

11. Kahurangi Carter

12. Craig Aaron Pauling

15. Tania Waikato

17. Rohan O’Neill-Stevens

19. Heather Hinemoa Te Au-Skipworth

22. Mike Davidson

24. Zephyr Brown

29. Nathan Hoturoa Gray

30. Te Whatanui Kipa Leka Taumalolo Skipwith

33. Awhi Haenga

This list includes three wāhine māori running in three Māori Electorates. Hūhana Lyndon in Te Tai Tokerau, Heather Te Au Skipworth in Ikaroa – Rawhiti, and Tania Waikato in Waiariki.

“It’s really exciting to see and celebrate candidates stepping forward who reflect the diversity and richness of communities across Aotearoa.

 

“Bold Māori voices will ensure that we can build a government that upholds te Tiriti o Waitangi and honours the Crown’s responsibility to guarantee tino rangatiratanga of tangata whenua over their whenua, kāinga and taonga katoa.

 

“Māori leadership strengthens the Green Party and the work we do for people and planet. Protecting our whenua, supporting whānau into warm homes and healthy kai, and drawing on mātauranga Māori to help lead solutions to the climate crisis” says Marama Davidson.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/green-party-announces-14-maori-candidates-in-the-initial-candidate-list-for-the-2026-general-election/

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Green Party releases initial candidate list for 2026 General Election

Source: Green Party

The Green Party has released its Delegate List of candidates for the 2026 General Election, which will now inform the final membership voting process.

“This is a strong electable list of people who represent diverse communities across Aotearoa and are ready for government,” says Green Co-leader Marama Davidson.

“Aotearoa has enough for everyone to thrive and we can build a society that works for people and planet. Only the Greens have a plan to ensure everyone’s needs are met and nature is healthy. With more Green MPs we will see this vision in place across the motu.

“Our diverse Māori candidates are supported by whānau, hapū and iwi, further strengthening Māori voice in the Green Party and across the motu. We are proud that our list reflects the importance of Māori candidates to the Party.

“By voting for the Green Party, we can build a society where power and wealth are in the hands of our communities and our precious nature is valued,” says Marama Davidson.

Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick added:

“2026 will be an historic election. With such a talented mix of returning Green MPs and new Green talent, the government New Zealanders deserve is ready to get on with the work of lowering bills and climate changing emissions.

“Politics belongs to those who turn up. That is why the Greens are organising in communities across this country for people to take back their power – to build an economy that works for everyone and the environment, instead of exploiting and exhausting both.

“Our candidates reflect the people and values of this country, and they’re hitting the ground running. Returning MPs are joined by candidates with experience spanning local government, education, law, green energy and community organising – to name just a few,” says Chlöe Swarbrick

The Green Party’s Delegate List for the 2026 election is:

1. Marama Davidson

2. Chlöe Swarbrick

3. Teanau Tuiono

4. Tamatha Paul

5. Julie Anne Genter

6. Hūhana Melanie Lyndon

7. Lawrence Xu-Nan

8. Lan Pham

9. Ricardo Menéndez March

10. Francisco Hernandez

11. Kahurangi Carter

12. Craig Aaron Pauling

13. Bhen Goodsir

14. Steve Abel

15. Tania Waikato

16. Scott Willis

17. Rohan O’Neill-Stevens

18. Yasmine Serhan

19. Heather Hinemoa Te Au-Skipworth

20. Louise Hutt

21. Shreejan Pandey

22. Mike Davidson

23. Asher Wilson-Goldman

24. Zephyr Brown

25. Angela Dalton

26. Josh Jacobsen

27. Lauren Craig

28. Carl Morgan

29. Nathan Hoturoa Gray

30. Te Whatanui Kipa Leka Taumalolo Skipwith

31. Alika Wells

32. Courtney White

33. Awhi Haenga

34. Pamela Grealey

35. Alma de Anda

36. Chris Norton

37. Melody Willis

This initial List will now be put to a vote of all members of the Green Party, who will be given the opportunity to choose this ranking, or rank candidates in their preferred order.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/green-party-releases-initial-candidate-list-for-2026-general-election/

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Government legalises debts for survivors of sexual violence and abuse in state care

Source: Green Party

The Government today passed legislation entrenching nearly 40,000 people, including many sexual abuse and abuse in state care survivors in debt.  

Pushing survivors of sexual abuse, survivors of abuse in care and injured people into debt is cruel and inhumane,” said Green Party spokesperson for social development Ricardo Menéndez March.  

“The Government had every opportunity to not entrench an unlawful policy that has harmed survivors of abuse. They were asked to exempt them, but today they refused.  

“Just over a year ago, the Government stood in Parliament and apologised to survivors of abuse in state care. Today they passed a law that will continue to harm many of those same survivors. That is a betrayal.  

“The High Court ruled that what MSD was doing was wrong. Instead of accepting that ruling, the Government rushed through retrospective legislation to override it, ignoring the warnings of lawyers, health professionals, and community organisations.  

“These are not people who were ‘double-dipping.’ They are members of our community who relied on welfare support in good faith while waiting months or years for ACC to accept their claims. The system failed them, and now the Government is punishing them for it.  

“Survivors of sexual abuse and survivors of abuse in care often have to go through long, retraumatising processes to access support from ACC while on welfare.   

“The delays they face only add to the debt that is slapped on them once they finally receive support for rehabilitation. This is opposite to the claims from the Government that this bill is about equity.  

“The Greens voted against this bill because we refuse to be part of a Parliament that punishes people for being injured, for being poor, or for surviving abuse,” said Menéndez March. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/government-legalises-debts-for-survivors-of-sexual-violence-and-abuse-in-state-care/

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Families Will Pay More Without Clean Car Standard

Source: Green Party

The Green Party says scrapping the Clean Car Standard will mean New Zealanders end up paying more to run their cars,

“Less efficient cars burn more fuel and burning more fuel costs more money. Families will be paying the price every time they fill up,” says Julie Anne Genter, Green Party spokesperson for Transport.  

“With petrol prices spiking, the last thing the Government should be doing is removing the one standard that encourages importers to bring in vehicles that are cheaper to run.  

“This decision is not being made in the interests of New Zealand consumers. It is being made in the interests of the motor vehicle industry.  

“Australia introduced its own vehicle efficiency standard just six months ago. Two-thirds of car makers are meeting their targets and vehicle prices have fallen in real terms.  

“If New Zealand abandons its standard now, we become the market where high-emitting vehicles that can no longer be sold in Australia end up instead.  

“This Government scrapped the Clean Car Discount, gutted the Clean Car Standard in November, and is now considering abolishing it altogether.  

“The Clean Car Discount created the demand for low-emission vehicles that allowed importers to meet the Standard. Without it, EV purchases collapsed from one in five to one in 13.   

“Now the Government wants to go further by removing the only standard we have left.  

“Climate action and reducing the cost of living go hand in hand,” says Genter.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/families-will-pay-more-without-clean-car-standard/

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Opposition leader Chris Hipkins says US-Israel strikes illegal

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Prime Minister admitted he “misspoke” when he said New Zealand supported “any actions” to prevent Iran having nuclear weapons.

The Prime Minister has admitted he “misspoke” when he said New Zealand supported “any actions” to prevent Iran having nuclear weapons.

Christopher Luxon also said New Zealand will not join the conflict.

At his post-Cabinet press conference on Monday, Luxon said successive governments have had a longstanding position that any action that stopped Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, from sponsoring terrorism, and from stopping them killing there own people was “a good thing.”

On Tuesday, Luxon described his comments as meaning New Zealand had long supported actions to prevent Iran from getting “its hands on nuclear weapons” and actions to stop the country sponsoring terrorism and repressing its people, but said “obviously, not any action.”

He said that was any action, but not “at any cost.”

Referring to the example raised of carpet bombing Iran, Luxon said “clearly that is not what we want to see.”

When asked how he made the error, given he repeated “any action” multiple times on Monday, Luxon said “I just said to you, I misspoke,” and passed on apologies.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins believes the strikes were illegal. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said it was good that the Prime Minister had admitted he misspoke.

“Words matter – to quote our Foreign Affairs Minister – and in this particular instance words matter a great deal,” Hipkins said.

“Adherence to international law shouldn’t be a matter of discretion, it should be something we expect all countries to adhere to.”

“It’s a no” – Luxon rules out New Zealand joining strikes

Asked whether New Zealand would join the United States in this instance, Luxon confirmed it would not.

“It’s a no from me, and we haven’t been asked to, and I think we’re unlikely to do so as well.”

Luxon reiterated his comments from Monday, in which he said New Zealand was not party to the information that led to the strikes, and would also not speak about US President Donald Trump’s judgement when it came to conflict.

Hipkins welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision to rule out joining in the United States’ actions.

“I would prefer that the New Zealand government continued to take a very principled stance in saying we’re actually opposed to this bombing campaign, because it is a violation of international law, and New Zealand has a lot of reasons to want the rest of the world to be adhering to international law”

Iran and Israel have continued to trade strikes since joint US and Iran airstrikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump has warned that bigger strikes are to come, and says the conflict could drag out longer than the four to five weeks he initially planned.

New Zealanders in Iran are urged to leave if it is safe to do so, and register on SafeTravel.

Luxon confirmed that 2150 New Zealanders were registered.

On Morning Report, Hipkins disagreed with the Prime Minister’s stance that it was not New Zealand’s place to comment on the legality of the strikes.

Hipkins said he believed the strikes were illegal.

“I think New Zealand government seems to be moving away from what has been a long-standing and principled approach to these issues,” he told Morning Report.

“We have been very clear that we think international law matters, and that all parties to these sorts of conflicts should follow international law. That’s not the case here.”

He said it is important that our government speaks with authority and in favour of international law.

“New Zealand’s government should stand up for the international system of rules that we rely on for our own security as a country,” Hipkins said.

“If the situation becomes that the countries with the most power can do whatever they like regardless of what international law says, that’s very bad news for a small country like New Zealand.”

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said the latest conflict in the Middle East endangered the rules-based order New Zealand relied on.

“The idea that we can start encouraging and allowing other countries to invade just because we don’t like their leaders is an incredibly dangerous take for this Prime Minister to support.

“He needs to be up front and declare whether he supports the rule of law, whether he supports countries in the world just willy nilly being able to decide, on vibes, whether they can invade or not.

“That’s really dangerous. That puts us and regions of the world in a really unsafe position.”

ACT leader David Seymour. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Deputy Prime Minister and ACT leader David Seymour is backing Luxon’s stance on the US-Israel attacks on Iran.

“One thing he’s noted that’s important is that New Zealand does not have all of the information that the US and Israel have used to justify their actions,” he told RNZ’s First Up on Tuesday. “So, we could spend a lot of time with New Zealand trying to be precise in its position, but I don’t think that’s what the world’s waiting for.”

He said as a result of the strikes, Iranian girls will have an opportunity to “dress as you like, go to school, do things that are normal rights that have been withheld from them by this regime”.

“And finally, for them in Iran and also for all of us around the world, it’s critical that trade is able to continue and resume so that we don’t face price shocks and even more economic peril. Those are the things that I think are important.”

Seymour would not say if he expected advance warning from allies like the UK if New Zealand troops at allies’ bases in the region were in danger.

“That’s something that we constantly talk about with our allies, but I think it’s safe to say that whatever we may or may not be doing won’t be helped by me announcing it on New Zealand radio…

“Clearly, the safety of New Zealand personnel is critical, and whatever moves might or might not be afoot, we’re not going to discuss publicly.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand was not given any advance notice of the attack on Iran, and has again urged New Zealanders to leave if it is safe to do so.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/opposition-leader-chris-hipkins-says-us-israel-strikes-illegal/

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Unilateral attack on Iran must be condemned

Source: Green Party

“Trump and Netanyahu’s unilateral attack on Iran must be condemned as an illegal and unprovoked act against the people of the region and any genuine pathway to peace” Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson says.

“This latest escalation in aggression is part of a decades’ long pattern of behaviour of the US dragging the region into more wars, violence, and bloodshed. 

“The wider region has immediately been drawn into this violence, with hundreds reported dead in only a single day. The idea that it’s okay to bomb other countries because you don’t like their leader is reprehensible. 

“The Prime Minister Luxon’s failure to condemn Trump’s illegal actions again demonstrates his lack of leadership or moral courage, and willingness to act against New Zealander’s values.  

“New Zealander’s deserve better than this. Our voice is powerful on the international stage. The Green Party urges Luxon’s Government to condemn illegal warmongering, and unreservedly advocate for diplomacy, international law, and peace for the Iranian people.” 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/01/unilateral-attack-on-iran-must-be-condemned/

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Luxon must act after Peters caught making false claims on employment bill

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is calling on Christopher Luxon to hold Winston Peters accountable for making false claims about union engagement on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill.

“Winston Peters’ behaviour following the passing of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill is a disgrace,” says Green Party Workplace Relations spokesperson Teanau Tuiono.  

“He has falsely claimed that unions didn’t raise their concerns with NZ First early enough. That is simply not true.  

“We fully back unions’ calls for Luxon to step in and act.  

“Not only did Peters sell out workers when he voted for this bill, now he’s accusing their representatives of lying. The receipts lay it out clearly.  

“Every party, including NZ First, knew exactly what the unions’ concerns were as soon as the Bill was introduced.  

“Peters was caught out making up nonsense about the Green Party last year which he had to correct in Parliament, so it’s obvious he has prior form.  

“Luxon is setting a dangerous standard for his Cabinet by letting Ministers get away with blatantly lying.”  

“Peters sits around the Cabinet table which agreed to strip workers’ rights, gut pay equity for low-paid women, and allow below inflation minimum wage increases, yet claims to be on the side of the regular working New Zealander.  

“Unlike this government, the Greens back workers. And we are proud to let everyone know our position and stick to it,” says Teanau. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/23/luxon-must-act-after-peters-caught-making-false-claims-on-employment-bill/

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Environment comes last as Government abolishes dedicated ministry

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is condemning the Government’s decision to disestablish the Ministry for the Environment.

“This is failure by a Minister who has turned her back on the very portfolio she was entrusted to protect. Abolishing her own ministry is as monumental as it is shameful,” said Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham. 

“The Ministry for the Environment exists because in 1986 New Zealanders decided that protecting our natural world needed a dedicated voice at the heart of government. 

“Burying the Ministry for the Environment inside a super-ministry designed to drive growth and infrastructure sends a clear signal that the environment comes last for this Government. 

“This is a Minister who claimed the balance had swung ‘too far’ towards the environment, even as her own ministry’s reporting showed air pollution, freshwater pollution, ocean pollution, and biodiversity loss all getting worse. 

“At a time when climate change is flooding our communities week after week, costing billions of dollars, lives, and livelihoods, this Government’s response is to dismantle the ministry responsible for environmental protection. 

“Abolishing the Ministry to streamline consent processes for roads and mining tells you exactly what this Government values more. It is economic growth at any cost. 

“Adding an ‘E’ to a new super-ministry and expecting New Zealanders to believe the environment will be looked after is fooling no one. New Zealanders deserve so much better,” said Pham.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/19/environment-comes-last-as-government-abolishes-dedicated-ministry/

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Government rams through law attacking workers

Source: Green Party

“The passing of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill is a dark day for Aotearoa, and shows this government is on the side of big corporates and against the workers.” says Green Party Workplace Relations spokesperson Teanau Tuiono.

“Workers have a basic right to seek remedies for unjustifiable and unlawful dismissal. This law effectively destroys that right, leaving workers completely exposed to abuses of power by their employers.”

 

“This law also makes it easier to dismiss workers and gives bosses the ability to mischaracterise employees as contractors, meaning that they miss out on basic rights like sick leave and holiday pay.”

 

“Minister Van Velden has proudly ignored and refused to meet with workers’ representatives, while she’s getting her ideas for reforms from multinational corporations like Uber.”  

 

“New Zealand workers already have significantly less rights at work than Australian workers, and this government is busy eroding those that we have managed to keep. It’s no surprise that young people are flocking across the ditch, and this will only see that flow increase.” 

 

Over 3000 submissions on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill were opposed to it, while only 34 were in favour. Unions, employment lawyers, and academics lined up alongside regular workers to reject this attack on basic rights.

 

“Workers are the backbone of our economy. Instead of protecting and supporting them, this Government is in the pockets of multinational corporates, delivering on their every whim.”

 

“Enhancing the rights of workers to organise collectively is the best to get decent pay and working conditions, and the Greens are committed to strengthening this,” says Teanau.  

 

“We will go further than reversing these changes when we are in government. We will introduce default union membership for all new workers and look to increase the ability for workers to take industrial action to promote their basic rights.”  

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/17/government-rams-through-law-attacking-workers/

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Infrastructure Plan Contradicts Government Own Spending Priorities

Source: Green Party

The newly released National Infrastructure Plan stands in stark contrast to the Government’s actual spending priorities, the Green Party says. 

“We welcome today’s National Infrastructure Plan, which would take us in the opposite direction of the decisions of Luxon’s Government,” said Chlöe Swarbrick, Green Party Co-Leader and Finance spokesperson.  

“This Plan shows how we can and must invest in resilient critical infrastructure like hospitals and renewables. Yet Luxon’s Government continues to burn taxpayer money on inflaming the climate crisis and inducing congestion through the daft LNG terminal and roads at all costs. 

“Treasury confirmed on Friday that we should be borrowing more to invest in infrastructure that builds real value and expands our productive capacity, which is exactly the vision the Greens have shown can be a reality in our Fiscal Strategy. 

“As parts of our country are underwater in yet another climate emergency, the need for decisive action, leadership and investment has never been more clear. 

“The choice is obvious: invest now in resilience, reducing the cost of living and improving our quality of life – or pay exponentially more for failures and disasters later,” said Swarbrick. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/17/infrastructure-plan-contradicts-government-own-spending-priorities/

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Support for National, Labour dips in new political poll

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

Support for both major parties has dipped – while New Zealand First is up on double digits – in the latest 1News Verian poll.

The results – that polled 1003 eligible voters between 7 and 11 February – has National down 2 points to 34 percent and Labour down 3 points to 32 percent.

The Green Party is up 4 points on 11 percent, New Zealand First up 1 point on 10 percent, ACT up 1 point on 9 per cent and Te Pāti Māori up 1 point to 2 percent.

On these numbers, the right block would net 65 seats and the left block 59 seats, meaning the coalition parties would comfortably have the numbers to govern.

It’s New Zealand First’s highest rating in this particular poll since August 2017.

National leader Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins were neck in neck in the new poll’s preferred Prime Minister ratings.

Luxon is down 3 points to 20 percent and Hipkins down 1 point to 20 percent.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is down 1 point to 10 percent, Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick steady on 5 percent, ACT leader David Seymour down 1 point to 4 percent and National’s deputy leader Nicola Willis steady on 1 percent.

The poll also asked voters to rate the coalition’s performance on a scale of one to ten – with the average score being five out of ten.

National supporters gave an average score of 6.7 and ACT supporters 6.4, while Green supporters gave a 3.1 rating and Labou supporters gave an average 3.6.

The new poll also shows voters have doubts about the economic turnaround, with economic optimism down 2 points to 40 percent and pessimism up 1 point to 31 percent.

Between November 29 and December 3 2025, 1007 eligible voters were polled by mobile phone (500) and online, using online panels (507). The maximum sampling error is approximately ±3.1%-points at the 95% confidence level. Party support percentages have been rounded up or down to whole numbers, except those less than 4.5%, which are reported to one decimal place. The data has been weighted to align with Stats NZ population counts for age, gender, region, ethnic identification and education level. The sample for mobile phones is selected by random dialling using probability sampling, and the online sample is collected using an online panel. Undecided voters, non-voters and those who refused to answer are excluded from the data on party support. The results are a snapshot in time of party support, and not a prediction.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/16/support-for-national-labour-dips-in-new-political-poll/