The Green Party will protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, create an independent Ocean Commission to advise the government, and put a Green Minister for Oceans and Fisheries in charge of making it happen.
“The Green Party has a rescue plan for the ocean – an Aotearoa-wide network for marine protected areas to put large parts of the sea off limits to destructive industries, and an independent Ocean Commission to guide how it happens,” says Marama Davidson.
“This election, only the Green Party is putting forward evidence-based solutions to the challenges we face. All we are seeing from the two big political parties is bickering over inconsequential issues and the kind of tinkering that leaves people with little hope that we can create the Aotearoa we need.
“This is particularly the case when it comes to the ocean. The ongoing plunder of overfishing, pollution, and climate change is pushing the ocean to the brink.
“Instead of allowing large parts of the ocean to be torn apart for profit, as successive governments have done, the Green Party has a bold, achievable, and brilliantly simple plan: cover large parts of Aotearoa’s ocean in protected areas, putting a third of the ocean off-limits to fishing, mining and other destructive industries.
“Our plan will start straight after the election, when we will make it a top priority in negotiations to have a Green Minister for Oceans and Fisheries at the Cabinet table. We simply cannot leave the future of the ocean in the hands of any other political party.
“A Green Minister will get to work immediately on the creation of a new independent, science-led Ocean Commission to advise the government on te Tiriti-led action to protect the ocean, in much the same way as the Climate Change Commission has done on climate action.
“Advice from the Ocean Commission will provide the foundation for a new Healthy Ocean Act, which will provide a legally binding framework to create a network of marine protected areas that cover at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 and uphold te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“A vote for the Green Party is not only a vote to guarantee everyone a decent income, a warm place to live, and bold climate action – but also to protect the ocean and the benefits it provides for all. A better Aotearoa is possible. All it takes is the political willpower to make it happen,” says Marama Davidson.
Green Party co leader James Shaw added:
“Without a healthy ocean, we cannot have a healthy planet. It is as simple as that. We cannot have healthy communities, with food to eat, and clean air to breathe, and we cannot tackle climate change.
“The ocean is our life support system, and when that system starts to break down, it affects every one of us.
“Over the last six years, the Green Party has taken more action on climate change than all previous governments before us. The time is now to do the same for the ocean.
“Our plan to protect the ocean is based on what we have so successfully achieved for climate action in Aotearoa – a legally binding target backed by independent, expert advice on the best way to achieve it.
“Our plan for a Healthy Ocean Act will do the same for the ocean that the Zero Carbon Act has done for the climate.
“It will be the centrepiece for meaningful ocean protection and create a legally binding commitment on all future governments to establish and maintain an Aotearoa-wide network of ocean sanctuaries, free from harmful human activity.
“An Ocean Commission will be formed as quickly as possible to make sure the government gets the best possible advice on meeting the 30% target in a way that upholds te Tiriti o Waitangi and supports the ways marine ecosystems actually function.
“The Ocean Commission will then hold the government’s feet to the fire to make sure it happens.
“Over the last six years more action has been taken on conservation, waste, and climate change than ever before thanks to the work of Green Party Ministers. However, without a Green Party Minister responsible for the ocean and fisheries, progress is much too slow.
“Only a Green Minister for Oceans and Fisheries will transform how we treat the ocean and help fight climate change, protect the marine life we all rely on, and allow our oceans to thrive,” says James Shaw.
A Green Party Minister for Oceans and Fisheries will:
- Establish a new, politically independent Ocean Commission to work with iwi, hapū, local communities, councils, stakeholders and the public to advise the government on solutions that work for people and nature.
- Pass a Healthy Ocean Act in the next three years to create a new framework for establishing marine protected areas in a way that upholds te Tiriti o Waitangi – putting in place a binding target of protecting at least 30% of the ocean surrounding Aotearoa, and helping restore the mauri of the moana.
- Ban the most destructive fishing methods such as bottom trawling and set netting.
- Increase our capacity to protect our waters from invasive pest species by investing in improved marine biosecurity
- Create a new $100 million Moana Fund to support iwi and hapū to deliver on the marine conservation priorities
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Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ... 
I would agree with most of that policy.
Here is a radical thought. What would the Greens do if there is clearly a right wing government after the election and Luxon offered that role to say Shaw in exchange for a confidence and supply arrangement to mitigate the radical effect of ACT. Could the Greens hold their noses and go for that if the alternative was a more radical and less environmentally friendly government due to a stronger influence of ACT?
no.
The Greens are the least interested in adversarial antagonistic politics and they say that politics is the art of the possible. I can’t see a C&S agreement between the Greens and National, an MOU at most.
I agree with both you and Weka that a confidence and supply arrangement would likely be a bridge too far from a political perspective. Although, I think it makes sense from a pragmatic perspective.
But, there is precedent for what happens with smaller parties in this sort of scenario with what happened with TMP when it joined a coalition with National under the Key government. From a pragmatic perspective many would argue TMP achieved a lot more for Maori than they would have achieved outside the tent. But, politically, many TMP supporters saw that as a betrayal I think.
I actually would like to see some sort of arrangement between National and the Greens under a right wing government, even if it is just an MOU. I like the environmental soul that the Greens bring to parliament.
That Maori+transnational cartel will play very dirty. Ive seen the threat levels multiple times up close.
I don't see Greens having the stomach for this.
Abel though?
(getting early with the pun)
That’s interesting, can you elaborate a bit?
Given Maori interests killed the kermadec marine reserve I'd say ads bang on,
So check out:
It's run by an oligopoly with huge tribal influence very similar to a cartel – so follow the money and you follow the power that gets really close to The Terrace.
Labour had the most business-friendly of Ministers Stuart Nash get slow-walked for over two years about the installation of cameras to prove catch and by-catch.
National's John Key and Labour's Ardern were just scolded by Maori fishing interests when the Kermadec sanctuary was proposed and re-proposed. They did not care who announced that to the United Nations. It is a dead proposal now.
MPI are one of the most business-friendly of ministries, and the Fishing sector of them are just hand in glove with fishing company needs. I know of one former fishing prosecutor who had to get the security around their house beefed up by the Ministry during one hairy prosecution. The internal MPI and Crown Law politics around fishing prosecutions is brutal.
You will of course have seen the scale of donations that they generate to specific parties particularly Shane Jones, and they are really good at proxy donations to keep their prints off.
They are a muscular industry who are about as far away from a Green Party view of Maoridom and Maori commercial life as, well, Winston Peters is from Marama Davidson.
My advice for the Greens is forget this policy and do not mess with these people.
Those are all sound initiatives,with alot of merit.
Doubt if they will attract any more voters to the GP ,though.
What I’m hoping is that there will be a whole load of young people, who don’t respond to polls, that will be attracted by these. Hopefully enough to tip the balance.
I think young people want to be able to work,save and buy a home.
Rents and house prices are real issues with huge social consequences.
Instead of tinkering around with band aid policies, Labour need to show a pathway to home ownership.Whether its lower deposits and special rates for FHB and rent controls ,stamp duties for investors,land tax….a policy with impact needs to be …formulated.
Totally agree. A golden mandate just squandered by TLP.
But many young people also know that a home is useless if it just gets burned/blown down/flooded/uninsurable due to CC.
Well if the NACTs win they may as well rename it the Ministry for Overfishing.