Go Green

Written By: - Date published: 11:22 am, September 22nd, 2017 - 21 comments
Categories: election 2017, greens - Tags: , , ,

Firstly I’d like to say that if you are reading this and want a change of government but think your vote doesn’t matter, it does. The polls have been all over the place, but it’s entirely possibly that this will be a very close election, and every left wing vote will count. So please vote, and encourage those around you who want a change of government to vote too.

You can still vote today if you are not enrolled – you enrol and vote at the same time. Tomorrow you can only vote if you are already on the electoral roll. Details on how and where to vote are here. A reminder also that the party vote determines how many MPs a party gets in parliament, so give that vote to the party you want to have the most influence in parliament.

I’m voting tomorrow, two ticks Green. Here’s why.

The Greens want change not power (h/t Idiot Savant for that gem). So having NZ align with the values of the Greens is more important than power for power’s sake. This doesn’t mean that it doesn’t matter if they’re in government or not. It means that the values are always going to take centre stage and the pragmatics will wrap around that.

The Green Charter has four pillars: ecological wisdom, social responsibility, appropriate decision making, non-violence. With the first two the Greens have had much influence in NZ. We can now talk openly and frankly about climate change. Both Labour and National have set poverty reduction goals. Labour’s election campaign recentred around policy important to the Greens. This is all in part because the Greens have been talking and acting on those things for decades and this has meant other people have had to talk and act on them too. Climate change, ending poverty, cleaning up and protecting rivers.

I want that kind of influence inside government. It’s not enough for the Greens to make 5 or even 8%. We need as many Green MPs as we can get because they are the experts in those areas and we need policy that is kick-arse not simply centre left. On climate change alone we need the most progressive voices we’ve got, but also on rivers and ending poverty, both critical issues in themselves, we need government to go as far as it can with those. But not just those big three, it’s also ending deep sea oil drilling, and making sure all NZers including renters have a healthy and affordable home.

There is something pragmatic there too. The more Green MPs the more Labour can say the Greens made us do it. I’m not being facetious here, this is a good thing. Labour are centre left and while it is hopeful that they will move leftwards, they’re still to a large extent beholden to their more mainstream voters and to the largely establishment MSM.

In this sense I see the Greens as bringing out the best in NZ. Labour have already shifted on rivers, climate change and ending poverty, but we need to the Greens to make that great policy.

Which brings us to the bigger picture around that role. We also need a strong Green Party in government in order to shift the Overton Window. The centre of NZ used to be far more left than it is currently, and Labour will struggle to move the centre leftwards again on its own or if there is a large influence from NZF.

So here’s the other reason.

The best way to get a strong, progressive Labour government with Jacinda Ardern as PM is to party vote Green. The bigger the Greens the more that Labour are likely to prioritise them in forming a coalition and the less influence Winston Peters will have. The Greens are demonstrably the better partner in terms of government stability – this was a big part of why there was the MoU, to show that the parties were solid even when things were tough.

Back to the Charter. The remaining two principles – appropriate decision making and non-violence are also central to the Greens. Appropriate decision making includes the members being key drivers of policy and big picture issues for the party, but it’s also about wanting NZ to make decision based on the needs and values of the people that are most affected by those decisions. That’s a move to a more democratic society.

Non-violence is seen in the MoU, where relationship building and maintaining is highly valued even where you disagree. It’s the willingness to work with any party on policy. It’s the ability to give mana to people when things are good and when they’re not. One of the best things about this election has been watching the Greens practice this under some pretty extreme conditions. Not taking shit but not throwing it either.

These things are absolutely important in building a strong, sustainably coalition government, and I’ve long expected the Greens to show us new ways of doing things with how government forms. But the thing that really excites me is that the Greens have been dropping hints in the past month that they want to change how politics is done. At the moment they’re just flagging this, there is no detail, but the way I read it is that it’s time to move past the macho driven politics that we’ve had for so long.

This alone would make me vote Green.

There are lots of other reasons – the Green caucus is packed with serious talent. The more MPs that the Greens have the more likely it is that Julie Anne Gender has a shot at Transport Minister or that James Shaw will get a significant cabinet role. Marama Davidson’s mahi on ending poverty would be gold.

The Greens are firmly opposed to the TPPA. Labour are kind of opposed but support in principle if they can renegotiate some of the terms. The TPPA is a battle that if we lose a whole host of other things fall as well, including our ability to deal with all those big issues of climate change, protecting the environment and ending poverty.

And last but by no means least there is this. Metiria Turei and the Greens broke the spell in NZ on welfare. They sacrificed power in order to get NZ to truly face up to what is happening to the most vulnerable people in this country. Labour are starting to make some good noises on welfare, but there is no firm commitment to transform it into the safety net that we all deserve. I will be forever grateful to the Greens for what they did, and irrespective of what happens tomorrow, there is a movement now and the genie can’t be put back in the bottle. But we can make so much more progress on mending welfare and fixing WINZ if we now give power to the people who stood  up when it counted.

So that’s me. I learnt a lot about politics this election, including how to write about it, a big thank-you to the other authors and admin who have far more experience than I do. Still don’t have the knack of writing shorter posts though, but someone did a tl;dr for me,

https://twitter.com/h_yd_n/status/905961410168971264

If you are still making up your mind based on policy and values, here are the past posts on what the Greens want to do for NZ.

21 comments on “Go Green ”

  1. mickysavage 1

    Kia ora Weka. Vote well!

  2. roy cartland 2

    I’m enrolling someone today who has never felt inclined or included. I reckon once she gets the bug, she’ll be hooked. And that will flow on to her whanau and community.

    I’m voting GP tomorrow, for the atmosphere that’s in it. Think I’ll even give James my electorate vote too, even though I like Grant. Wish we could have STV or PV for those that wanted to ‘hone’ their choices!
    (edit – STV / PV for the electorate candidate I mean, still retain Party Vote.)

  3. Matiri 3

    Facebook post from a friend of mine on holiday in Canada:

    ‘Voting done! Great to see young Kiwis in the NZ embassy in Vancouver casting their vote. From conversation I would say we were all there voting for change!’

  4. Robert Guyton 4

    Ko kākāriki i nga wahi katoa!

  5. tracey 6

    Kia ora weka

    Te Tangata te Tangata Te Tangata

    Bill English says you cannot shop with values. That total disconnect is why he and National have to go.

    I voted Green because I put a tick for the world I want for my son and his children. And for yours and theirs. We do not have to compromise when we vote. We do not have to follow the polls. This is our one time to say what we want. On that basis there is no such thing as a wasted vote. That is a lie designed to keep is in a false dichotomy of FPP.

  6. popexplosion 7

    Green govt will mean for me, wholesale sacking media commentators whose niche is solely talking to optics.

  7. Barfly 8

    Voted JA for electorate and Green for party for the first time – polls indicate Greens out of danger area but I recall at least one election where their % dipped from final opinion polls to election day doing my little to help a progressive partner for Labour get over the line.

  8. joe90 9

    Vox pop damn near unanimous this morning at the gym – electoral Labour and party vote Green.

    (oh, and when the water charge question was put as – cockies get a major input into their businesses for close to free, do you get any of your major inputs into your businesses for nicks? – it was unanimous, use it, pay for it)

  9. Robert Guyton 10

    I’ve consulted the entrails: we’re in!

  10. Ian 11

    I’ll vote for you next time when you sort all that tax shit out. Maybe.

    • weka 11.1

      I hate to tell you this Ian, but I won’t be standing for parliament in 2020.

    • Robert Guyton 11.2

      No one cares who you vote for, Ian. Go nuts! Waste your vote, we don’t give!

      • Ian 11.2.1

        All the best you guys. I think the debate has been great. Just remember Makauri managed aquifer recharge trial. Sort your taxes out,get those lazy mp’s on the left to develope policies and good luck next time.

        • weka 11.2.1.1

          Can you please stop talking as if we are politician or political parties? It’s a thing here, especially for the authors. We’re just punters like you.

          I think you’ve brought some good debate to TS. I mean, I disagree with most of what you say, but I think it’s very good for the left to hash out the rural issues not least so they get better at the argument.

    • Robert Guyton 11.3

      Nah, you won’t, but hey, enjoy the weekend, Ian.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T09:33:22+00:00