Te Awa issue 57

First quarter reflections

#57 Autumn 2018

te awa

te awa

Cover image Kauaeranga river, Coromandel Back cover Waitangi Marae, 2018 Both images by Tim Onnes

#57 Autumn 2018 Te Awa | The River

The Green Party Charter

Te Marautanga Kakariki

greenparty@greens.org.nz Phone 04 801 5102 Level 2, 17 Garrett Street, Te Aro, Wellington PO Box 11-652, Wellington

The charter is the founding document of The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ko te kawenata te pukapuka whakaū o te Rōpu Kākāriki o Aotearoa, Niu Tireni.

The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand accepts Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand; recognises Māori as Tangata Whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand; and commits to the following four Principles:

E whakaae ana te Rōpu Kākāriki ko te Tiriti o Waitangi te pepa whakaū (kawenata) o Aotearoa, Niu Tireni; e whakaae ana te Rōpu kākāriki ko te iwi Māori te tangata whenua o Aotearoa, o Niu Tireni, ā, ka mau pūmau te rōpu Kākāriki ki ngā mātāpono e whā e whai ake nei:

Editor Dave Kennedy 027 258 6686 editor.magazine@greens.org.nz Copy editor Liz Gray Reviews Janine McVeagh Advertising ads.magazine@greens.org.nz Te Awa Board Elected members Ron Elder, Daisy Hsu, Philippa Stevenson Caucus rep Chlöe Swarbrick Executive John Ranta Policy Nick Marryatt Te Rōpu Pounamu Rochelle Surendran Authorised by Gwen Shaw, Level 2, 17 Garrett St, Wellington

For queries about Te Awa distribution greenparty@greens.org.nz

Information for Contributors Te Awa is published quarterly in Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer.

Before submitting material, please check with the Guidelines for Contributors, which you can obtain from the editor.

References do not appear in the print version of Te Awa, but are appended to the pdf of the magazine that is available online.

Opinions expressed in Te Awa are not statements of Green Party policy, but must not bring the Green Party into disrepute.

Remember please!

Copy deadline for the Winter 2018 issue is 15 April.

Te Awa is printed on FSC-Certified Paper

Ecological Wisdom The basis of ecological wisdom is that human beings are part of the natural world. This world is finite, therefore unlimited material growth is impossible. Ecological sustainability is paramount.

Social Responsibility Unlimited material growth is impossible. Therefore the key to social responsibility is the just distribution of social and natural resources, both locally and globally.

Appropriate Decision-making For the implementation of ecological wisdom and social responsibility, decisions will be made directly at the appropriate level by those affected.

Non-Violence Non-violent conflict resolution is the process by which ecological wisdom, social responsibility and appropriate decision making will be implemented.

This principle applies at all levels.

Tikanga Toi Potapotae Ko te putake o te tikanga toi potapotae ko te tangata he wahanga no te ao tuturu. Ko te ao nei he taparepare, waihoki, kihai e taea kia tupu haere mo ake tonu atu Me ukauka te tikanga toi potapotae koia ra te tino taumata.

Kawenga Papori Kihai nga rawa o te ao e tipu haere tonu. Waihoki, ko te mea nui ke ko te kawenga papori, e whiwhi ai tena ki ona tikanga ano ki era rawa, ki te wa kainga nei, ki tawahi ranei o te ao.

Whakarite Totika E oti tika ai nga tikanga toi potapotae, me nga kawenga papori, ma nga whakarite totika a nga hunga e pa pumau tonu ana ki era take, ara, ki nga hua hoki a era whakarite.

Aukati Whakarekereke Me aukati te whakarekereke, e kitea ai te huarahi tika, e eke ai nga tikanga toi potapotae, nga kawenga papori, tae noa atu ki nga whakarite totika, e tau ai te rangimarie. Ko tenei ahuatanga e pa ana ki nga tairanga katoa.

From the Party Editorial Dave Kennedy • 2 Change is in the air. Party Co-convenors’ report John Ranta • 3 How are we doing at the end of our first quarter in Government? James Shaw • 4–5 Summer Policy Conference, Napier, 2-4 March. Policy Committee report Greg Mason • 6 Creating our shared vision and values for the next two decades. SPFG report Scott Summerfield • 6 Asia-Pacific Greens Federation. International report Melanie Chapman • 7 The time is now: Embedding local Green change into Councils’ Long Term Plans Scott Summerfield • 7 Female Party Co-leader candidate Marama Davidson • 8 Female Party Co-leader candidate Julie Anne Genter • 9 Female Co-leader election process and timeline • 10

Our Networks Pathways to Opportunities – increasing diversity and participation. Inclusive Greens Candace McCabe • 11 Young Greens hit the ground running. Young Greens Mona Oliver • 12–13

Greens Have Their Say Greens in Government is bad news for Nick Smith’s Nelson highway Matt Lawrey • 14 Rodeo belongs in the history books not in modern New Zealand Gareth Hughes • 15 Climate change just got personal Dave Kennedy • 16

Our People Catalyst for change Steffan Browning • 17 Never give up the kaupapa of radical change Catherine Delahunty • 17

Green World February 2018 Lois Griffiths • 18-19

MP Reports Gareth Hughes • 20 Julie Anne Genter • 20 Golriz Ghahraman • 21

Green History Summer Gatherings Dave Kennedy • 22–23

Reviews Extinctions Janine McVeagh • 24 Balfour’s Shadow Lois Griffiths • 24 Up the River Dave Kennedy • 25 Age of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence Betty Shore • 25

Green Bites Te Awa in hard copy, please Jane Young • 26 The Little Things Matt Lawrey • 26

Ebike Competition winner • 27

Culture Corner Poet and Performer Catherine Delahunty • 28

Contents

Your Will matters Sonja Deely • 26

01

Editorial Dave Kennedy The shift to a new era of politics in New Zealand has been a dramatic one, and we have to acknowledge that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been instrumental in ensuring that it has been smoother than it may have been.

With a strong and bitter National opposition focused on attacking any weakness in the incoming Government, her media skills and personal circumstances have usefully shifted the political commentary.

Ardern’s pregnancy has become a powerful affirmation to women around the world that being female and a mother should not be considered a barrier to political or employment aspirations. When her international profile as our Prime Minister is combined with the Harvey Weinstein-sparked #MeToo campaign, we are witnessing a perceptible erosion of the highly patriarchal culture around the developed world that has always controlled politics, business and entertainment. Previously powerful men are having to acknowledge past abuses because there is a diminishing tolerance of such behaviour. This is also creating a safer space for women to speak out about gender discrimination in jobs and income without the usual reprisals. It may even be the case that Trump’s eventual downfall is due not to Russian interference with the election campaign but to the way he and the men around him have treated women.

While there is much to celebrate, the challenges facing our new Government are still considerable. To reverse decades of neglect in housing; to get our health, education and social welfare systems operating well; and to address our environment and conservation challenges will take a great deal of work and money. The constraints of the Budget Responsibility Rules may limit what can be invested in, and achieving a consensus with three diverse parties will often be a challenge. While MMP delivered a useful change in Government, achieving consensus will often mean difficult compromises for all the parties in Government, and an increased need to communicate these well with our members (as James Shaw explains later).

Winston’s ‘Party Hopping’ Bill, the decision to allow small and medium sized businesses to continue using the 90 day employment clause, and not completely banning new fossil fuel extraction have demonstrated the limitations we have as a Party with eight representatives in Parliament.

We are not going to always achieve what we would like and it just emphasises the importance of increasing our vote in 2020. However, I have been proud to see our new Green Ministers already establishing themselves as very capable and knowledgeable, and clearly articulating what they want to achieve in their roles. Their success as Ministers will be an important factor in gaining voter trust in the future. Our backbench MPs have also had a strong media presence on a range of issues that we hold dear, ensuring 02

that our independent (outside Government) and distinct Green voice is still being heard.

Bill English’s resignation will remove one of National’s strongest performers from its front bench. It is interesting to note that the choice of a replacement will not be easy for the National Caucus (there is no membership involvement), as the main contenders have either considerable baggage or little profile. None can articulate a clear vision for the future of New Zealand that is inclusive or inspiring.

Contrast that with our own leadership competition where we have could have had many strong contenders, and where our members have the difficult decision of now choosing between two remarkable Green wāhine.

Julie Anne and Marama have both presented strong cases in this issue for why they should be elected as the next female Party Co-leader. Our members and delegates have a difficult choice indeed.

After the dramatic events of the 2017 campaign and because of the new political environment we are operating in, some self-reflection and internal analysis is timely. In this issue Scott Summerville describes the work that the Strategic Planning Facilitation Group has embarked on to get input from all members on a new Long Term Strategy.

This work is critical in ensuring we are united in our vision for the Party for 2020 and beyond.

This issue also has a report and images from the recent Young Greens Camp. It is always wonderful to see those who will be our leaders of the future experience the unique environment of Jeanette and Harry’s farm, and the synthesis of Green wisdom and youthful talent.

While financial constraints have again restricted publishing this issue to online versions (a Party website pdf and via the Issuu platform), the Te Awa Board is hoping to be able to restore the print version for the Winter magazine.

Photo Tarana Burke is known for being the first to use the phrase “Me Too”, in 2006, to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual abuse and assault in society

With the general election behind us, and a new year before us, change is in the air within the Party. Most notably, the Party will be selecting a new female Co-leader in the first week of April. However, there are a few other changes underway as well.

We have reluctantly accepted Sarah Helm’s resignation as General Manager of the Party. Sarah was the Party’s first GM and in the role has worked tirelessly to increase the effectiveness and professionalism of the Party. She has shepherded in many important changes to how the Party operates, which have required a tremendous amount of energy and perseverance to bring off. She has been a consistent champion for campaigns at the heart of the Party’s operations, most conspicuously by acting as the director of the 2017 general election campaign. Sarah has become part of the fabric of the Party and it is hard for us to imagine how we will replace her.

It does not come as a complete surprise that Sarah is moving on, as she had signalled last year that she was likely to do so sometime in this calendar year. The timing of her departure is due to there being an opportunity for her to take on a new and exciting role. Sarah is leaving us to lead the communications team at the New Zealand Educational Institute. We are pleased that she has found a position with an organisation that has aspirations that are consistent with those of the Party. We know that Sarah is looking forward to getting her evenings and weekends back, which will give her more time with her children. We wish her all the best with the new position, and thank her for all the work she has done, and the sacrifices she has made, to advance the Party’s work.

Recruiting and bedding in a new General Manager will be a major transition for the Party, but the timing in the electoral cycle is good. We are confident that we will receive many high-quality applicants, and will be able to recruit someone into the role who can carry forward the level of excellent performance that Sarah has established as the standard for a GM of the Green Party.

Speaking of timely transitions, I have decided that I will not seek re-election as male Party Co-convenor.

In 2014 I said would be happy to serve in the role until the next election. The next election has come and gone, so it’s time for me to make way for the next male Party Co-convenor. Being your Co-convenor has been a lifechanging experience. Aside from the roles I have in my family, it has been the most enriching and challenging role I’ve ever had. It has been a tremendous honour to serve you and do my part to bring the Party into Government for the first time. I hope that I have made good on the extraordinary trust you placed in me, and thank you for the opportunity to convene the Party. It’s been a wild ride at times, but I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.

Thanks again, John

Photo Photo Sarah Helm, outgoing General Manager of the Green Party John Ranta has held the role of male Green Party Co-convenor since 2014

From the Party

Change is in the air John Ranta

03

From the Party

How are we doing at the end of our first quarter in Government?

James Shaw

04

One of the great privileges of my role is to represent the Green Party at Waitangi each year, and this year was particularly profound. The Greens were there as part of the Government delegation for the full five-day programme, including the dawn ceremony on 6 February.

It was an inspiring way to start the year, reflecting on who we are as a country, where we have come from and where we are going.

Your Green Ministers are already effecting some real change. Julie Anne has been working with Phil Twyford on an overhaul of the way New Zealand invests in transport and urban design. Eugenie is already creating waves in how we conserve our most endangered species and wild places.

I have been working on the design of the Zero Carbon Act, reforming the Emissions Trading Scheme (so that it does what it’s supposed to do, and actually reduce emissions!), and establishing the Green Investment Fund to finally get real action on climate change in New Zealand.

Our MPs have been working as hard as our Ministers.

For example, Chlöe’s work on medicinal cannabis has shifted the debate, and we’re hoping it will lead to some real reform this Parliamentary term. While her Bill was voted down, public support for the issue remains strong.

At the reading of Chlöe’s Bill, Grace Yeats1 was welcomed into Parliament’s debating chamber, as she could not access Photo (from left) Jan Logie, Eugenie Sage, Julie Anne Genter, James Shaw, Gareth Hughes, Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson outside Ratana Church

the public gallery. Having her with us as we voted was a hugely powerful and inclusive moment, making it even more disappointing that some MPs were not allowed to exercise an independent conscience vote to help people like Grace.

For the first time ever, we have Green Ministers on all the Cabinet Committees, which do the detailed discussion and consideration of issues before they go to Cabinet. Our membership on these committees means that we are able to have sight of and input into everything Government does – but it doesn’t affect our ability to speak out on issues where we think the Government could go further. We are bound by ‘collective responsibility’ on those matters where we have Ministerial responsibilities – but outside this we are able to maintain our independent voice. This is important for us to ensure that we don’t suffer the same fate as other Government support parties have historically, but we are still learning how best to put it into practice.

1. In May 2012, when she was 10, Grace Yeats suddenly became gravely ill. She was later diagnosed as the 13th person globally with an incurable variant of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. While she was cognitively unimpaired, she was left unable to walk, eat, sit or speak.

She has since been approved to receive Sativex - a medicinal cannabis spray. She requires three tiny bottles a month to alleviate her pain and seizures and to help her speak.

They cost $1100, which the family funds through Givealittle donations. —Copy Ed.

The governing agreements do mean, however, that we have the support of Labour and New Zealand First on initiatives that are important to us, such as the Taranaki Whale Sanctuary, bringing agriculture into the ETS and an overhaul of the welfare system. The process around the Waka Jumping Bill wasn’t great, coming so early in our Government and before a lot of our processes were set up, and we want to make sure we get ahead of controversial issues in the future.

So, how are we doing at the end of our first quarter in Government? Well, Government moves slower than we’d like; there are real challenges in coordinating action between agencies and Ministers and parties (and within parties!); and – as we knew when we signed up to the Confidence and Supply Agreement – we aren’t getting everything we want.

But the gains we are getting far outweigh the challenges.

From pay equity to public transport; restricting foreign ownership of land to investing in saving endangered species; family and domestic violence to reducing child poverty; reducing climate pollution to changing the way we measure economic, social and environmental sustainability; we are, slowly but surely, making long-held Green policies and initiatives a reality.

Having Greens in the heart of Government this year means real change for our environment and our people.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.

From the Party

Of course, being part of Government brings difficult issues too, including some that are very important to us.

A permit for the block of oil and gas exploration off the South Taranaki coast was still granted because the process was all but complete when the Government changed.

We’re obviously trying to ensure that it will be the last one.

The Trade Minister has managed to negotiate some improvements to the TPPA (now called the CPTP), but the Greens remain opposed, largely because of the continued existence of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms, which enable multi-national corporations to go ‘jurisdiction shopping’ in order to sue our Government for damages over policies they don’t like. Again, we are working to ensure that this will be the last time we sign up to a trade agreement with these kinds of ISDS mechanisms.

I was frustrated to find that I had come in to the role of Statistics Minister too late to be able to do much about the inclusion of gender identity and sexual orientation questions in this year’s Census, but have now prioritized that research at Stats NZ. Finally, and most visibly, we were put in a position of having to support the Waka Jumping Bill, because of the three-way agreements between NZ First, Labour and the Greens. We have managed to make a number of changes to the Bill to mitigate what we see as its worst aspects, and we’ll be watching the Select Committee process closely for other developments.

James Shaw is co-leader of the Green party

05

Summer Policy Conference Napier, 2-4 March Greg Mason

Creating our shared vision and values for the next two decades Scott Summerfield

Policy Committee invites all Green Party members to attend the national Summer Policy Conference in sunny Napier over the first weekend in March.

Registrations are now open.

In the Green Party, policy is made by the members.

The Summer Policy Conference is a great opportunity for you to discuss some of the key topics of this Parliamentary term and to contribute to policy development.

The conference is your chance to get together with fellow Greens in an informal setting to share views on a range of policy issues, such as: • regional development; • how local authorities can respond to the effects of climate change; • the Green Party’s vision for the public service; • global management of the commons – marine plastic pollution; and • how to respond to the rise of artificial intelligence.

The Strategic Planning Facilitation Group (SPFG) is hard at work preparing an extensive, all-of-Party consultation on our Long Term Strategy review. Expect to see much more of us for the next year and a half, as we engage with members about what’s important to them as part of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, and about the direction we are going in, together.

In the Green Party, our vision and direction are not set by one or two people, regardless of whether they are Co-leaders, Co-convenors or two members from Stewart Island and Cape Reinga. We set our shared vision, goals and direction by discussion, inclusive decision making and consent.

There will also be an opportunity to meet the candidates for the female party Co-leader position, and an election campaign review session.

The conference begins at 5.30pm on Friday, 2 March, and finishes at 4pm on Sunday. There will be maraestyle accommodation on-site, or people can stay off-site.

Families and children are most welcome.

This is not a delegated conference, but we encourage branches to offer financial support for branch members to attend if they need it. We also welcome extra donations from people who can afford it to help people who could not otherwise afford to attend.

For further information, and to register, visit https://members.greens.org.nz/post/summer-policyconference-2018.

What is it?

The Long Term Strategy incorporates the Charter, our Vision and Purpose, Values and Strategic Goals. It is reviewed every 10 years. It will update and replace our existing Long Term Plan and other disparate strategic documents, which haven’t been reviewed since 2004.

Obviously our world has changed a bit since then! This is our opportunity to articulate a shared vision and shared values as a Party to lead us into the next 20 years.

How can I be involved?

The first step we are taking is to define some broad themes of what is important to the Green Party. We will kick this off at the 2018 Summer Policy Conference, 2-4 March, followed by branch, network and province engagement from April to June. SPFG will then produce a draft Long Term Strategy based on this feedback. It will seek input on that draft at the 2019 summer policy conferences, and once more from branches, networks and provinces. A final version of the strategy will be discussed and adopted at the mid-2019 AGM.

From the Party

What else do I need to know?

This will be an inclusive process for all members to participate in. Please let us know how we can best involve you and your community.

This process isn’t about a winning and losing vision for the Green Party; that’s not our way. Our focus is on a vision for a greener world that we can all get behind, and we hope our members approach this task with a spirit of collaboration.

06

Greg Mason is the Green Party Strategic Policy Advisor

Scott Summerfield is a member of the Strategic Planning Facilitation Group

Asia-Pacific Greens Federation Melanie Chapman

Embedding local Green change into Councils’ Long Term Plans Scott Summerfield All councils around the country will be busily focusing on producing their 2018-2028 Long Term Plan.

A council’s most important corporate planning document, it sets strategic direction, details projects to be undertaken over a 10 year period, and shows how much money is needed each year (and how much your rates will be).

By law, the Long Term Plan requires a month of public consultation via a summary consultation document. Most councils will be consulting between February and April.

Long Term Plans are produced every three years, and as Annual Plans no longer require public consultation now is the time to get involved in your local decision making.

It’s important for us Greens to participate. It’s where funding for public transport and cycleways gets decided, for example. This is how we can influence the standard of public parks and recreation areas, lobby for support for social and community organisations, museums, public libraries and the like. Most councils will identify a few major projects they specifically want your feedback on, but there’s no need to be limited to those proposals.

Well-considered ideas from the community for new infrastructure, services or grants do have influence, particularly if you can generate some local support. We need our members to be involved in making our own communities more inclusive, sustainable and forwardlooking.

The Local Government Committee is producing a short guide on how to best engage with local government authorities to bring about local Green change, including some tips on making an effective submission on a Long Term Plan. It will be provided to provinces and branches to share with members, and will also be available on the members’ website. https://members.greens.org.nz Photo Replanting in the Wilderland commune near Whitianga following the big fire.

Melanie Chapman is the Green Party’s International Secretary and NZ’s Councillor on the Asia-Pacific Greens Federation

Scott Summerfield is Co-convenor of the Green’s Local Government Committee, he is a member of the Strategic Planning Facilitation Group and was the Green Party’s Coromandel candidate in the 2017 election

From the Party

The Asia-Pacific Greens Federation (APGF) held its third on-line AGM at the end of last year. The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is one of 11 fullmember Green parties from across the region.

The APGF Council was refreshed through the election process, with several new Councillors coming on board.

For the first time, we have managed to achieve equal gender representation on the Council. The female Coconvenor was returned for a second year - Penny AllmanPayne from the Australian Greens. This year, no male Co-convenors were nominated. We’ve changed the way New Zealand is represented at the AGM, with our Party Co-convenors now picking up the responsibility of our AGM representation ex-officio. John Ranta took part in the 2017 AGM. Since the APGF Council face-to-face meeting in Liverpool in March 2017, the Council and Secretariat have been working hard to finalise the APGF strategic and operational plans. These are now in place and are being turned into action. Both documents are crisp, and are there to guide and prioritise our work. The strategic themes are cooperation in the areas of governance, policy and campaigning, underpinned by strengthening the APGF organisation itself.

Unsurprisingly, some of the APGF activities will need money, and so the organisation is currently seeking international fundraising expertise (short term, paid) to look at ways of boosting the existing budget. As well, the Australia and NZ Green parties have offered to share their fundraising experiences and expertise with interested parties from the Asia-Pacific region via an online seminar.

Lots of energy has been put into establishing and developing the APGF women’s network. Debs Martin and Suzanne Loughlin have been tag-teaming as NZ’s current representatives. The APGF ‘youth network’ (as a part of the Global Greens) is also under development. Christian Merten and Marnie Hubmann have recently become our young representatives to the APGF through a Young Greens nomination process. An APGF/Global Greens rainbow network is also starting to form, having been first mooted at the Global Greens Congress in Liverpool.

A number of capability-building projects, and respective working groups supporting them, are moving into second phase development for Green parties in several countries/provinces - Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Solomon Islands and Atjeh. Recently the Bangladeshi Greens became an associate member of the APGF.

07

From the Party

Female Party Co-Leader candidate Marama Davidson

08

I want to thank Te Awa for this opportunity to directly address the membership about the Co-leadership election.

I have always loved to sit and read Te Awa with my cup of tea and see the work and ideas of our flaxroots members from right around the country striving for Green change.

In my view the most important thing we are looking for in a new Co-leader is someone with the commitment and capacity to work with each and every one of our team to bring out the best in us; from our Caucus in Parliament, to our National Executive, and most importantly with you, the roots and backbone of our party, our membership.

Without you, we would be nothing. Thank you for your sacrifices that enable our work.

To realise our bold but necessary goals in Government, every one of us who are members of the Greens, and our supporters, must contribute in the best way we can, however big or small, to make them happen.

We need to be more focused and determined than ever to rebuild and broaden our base of support so that we are a major political party with the influence to address the social, environmental and economic crises that are facing our communities.

Since the election I have thought a lot about how I can best contribute to the tasks of delivering transformative change in Government and growing the Green Party.

As a Green MP, I have gained the support of people right around the country who have been inspired to support and vote for the Greens for the first time.

I put the Greens at the centre of the homelessness debate and co-led the Cross-Party Inquiry into Homelessness.

I have stood up for human rights, peace and justice in Aotearoa and around the world. I put universal te reo Māori in schools on the political agenda at the last election.

Our experience shows us that smaller parties in coalition Governments risk becoming invisible and usually lose support.

I’ve decided to stand for Co-leader because I am confident that I’m the best person to build a strong, cohesive and diverse movement.

It would be the greatest honour of my life to follow in the footsteps of Jeanette and Metiria, and I aspire to their examples of strength, grace, independence and courage.

It is the role of the Greens to continue to be a loud and active voice on behalf of our communities, and to push for this to be a transformative Government. We must return to Parliament in 2020 with more Green MPs, and as an even stronger and more significant part of the Government.

I am proud to have a role outside the Executive that balances my responsibility to our membership and our supporters with my position as a member of this coalition Government.

Our message needs to be taken into our many diverse communities, places where we’ve not had a strong presence before, and in some places where we’ve not been present at all.

I have the skills, lived experience and broad voter appeal that’s needed to pull communities together, and to lead the Green Party as a genuine and relevant voice for modern Aotearoa.

We can again be a country of care and compassion and a world leader through the greatest challenges of our time.

We can again be a country where all children grow up in healthy, liveable cities, are able to play in their local stream and forest, and have the support and opportunities to realise their full potential.

Now is the time for the Green Party to be bold and brave.

Our people need us. Our planet needs us.

Female Party Co-Leader candidate Julie Anne Genter He waka eke noa.

A canoe that we are all in, with no exception.

I am standing for Co-leader because I believe I have the skills and experience to lead the Greens in this critical period. I’m an activist and a politician with strong roots in peace, social justice, and environmental action. I can be a unifying force for the Party.

I’ve been member of the Greens since 2006; an active volunteer for well over a decade; a Green MP since 2011; and am now, thanks to the efforts of thousands of Party voters and volunteers, one of the first Green Ministers in our Parliament.

As a spokesperson in a broad range of areas, including health, finance, transport, women’s rights and climate change, I have already achieved a number of Green wins, and have helped lead and shape a number of national debates.

I promise to be a Co-leader who is both brave and a safe pair of hands. Under my co-leadership it will be crystal clear to all that the Green Party is a force to be reckoned with, and that we will not be pushed around or taken for granted by anyone.

As a Party with Ministers outside of Cabinet, we should have no qualms about speaking up for Green Party values and policies, even if we need to disagree with the

Government. This will not be easy. But I have the political nous, judgement, experience, tact and, most importantly, guts to call our Government partners out when required.

I got into politics because I want to fundamentally change the way our economy and Government works – so it can finally serve our deepest values, rather than exploiting people and environment for the benefit of a few.

We can end poverty. We can defend nature. We can slash climate pollution and restore our waterways. We can honor Te Tiriti. We can reinvigorate our participatory democracy.

We must grow the number of Green MPs in Parliament, as well as our Party base.

For us to achieve this, our next Co-leader needs to hit the ground running.

I’m ready for the baton. Hand it to me and I will not let you down.

From the Party

The next few years will be decisive for the Green Party, Aotearoa and the world, as we grapple with rapid climate change, growing inequality and the destruction of our magnificent natural environment.

The threats to our environment and our people demand urgent action now. It is critical that the Green Party is part of Government, so we can implement policies to ensure no one is left behind, and so we can once again have an environment that is truly clean and green.

It’s critical, too, that we are ambitious, positive, innovative and inclusive. We must articulate a compelling vision that will mobilise New Zealanders to support us. We are all in this together.

I know the Green Party can recover from our last election result and win back many voters. In fact, I am certain we can gain even more new voters.

To do this we need: 1) a united Caucus and Party that is focused on reaching out and communicating with hundreds of thousands of voters; 2) to demonstrate that in Government we keep our promises and deliver real change; and 3) a clear, bold and distinct vision for 2020. This will be our first opportunity to really change the frame of the political debate from a position of strength in Government.

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Female Co-leader election process and timeline The position of Female Party Co-leader has been vacant for long enough that an election before the August AGM was deemed prudent.

The selection will be made by electorate delegate vote, as per our normal leadership election process. But to allow for an earlier election, the voting will be via postal ballot, closing on Sunday, 8 April. This process has been determined by the Executive, and follows Green Party rules.

From a branch perspective, the voting process will be very similar to the initial list ranking process. Branches determine how delegates will confer with their membership before casting their delegate vote. If the process a branch used for the initial list ranking vote in 2017 was found to be suitable, then it is very likely to be suitable for this process as well. Only members can take part in branch discussions.

The timeline for the process is: Fri, 2 Feb Nominations open. All current female Party members are eligible to run. Once candidates have filed their paperwork, they are able to announce their nomination Fri, 9 Feb Nominations close Mon, 12 Feb Full list of nominations is announced Sat-Sun, 3-4 Mar A Co-leader candidate session is held as part of the Summer Policy Conference programme Sun, 25 Mar An all-delegates Zoom call is held with Co-leader candidates. This will be a virtual version of what we do at an AGM, with Co-leader candidates giving speeches and answering questions from delegates. However, at the end delegates won’t vote, they will go back and talk to their branches, before sending in their ballot (a process similar to the candidate selection conference and initial list ranking voting).

From the party

Mon, 26 Mar End of official campaigning

0 10 10

Mon, 26 Mar to Sat, 7 Apr Branches consult with members, after which delegates send in their ballots Sat, 7 Apr Balloting closes Sun, 8 Apr Ballots counted and result announced.

Ratana 2018

Pathways to Opportunities – increasing diversity and participation Candace McCabe

According to the Cambridge Dictionary (https://dictionary. cambridge.org), ‘diversity’ is described as, “the fact of many different types of things or people being included in something.”

‘Inclusion’ means, “the idea that everyone should be able to use the same facilities, take part in the same activities, and enjoy the same experiences, including people who have a disability or other disadvantage.”

One of the issues I am most passionate about is creating pathways to opportunities, which unfortunately is something often overlooked by businesses and organisations. I was recently reading an article in a popular monthly magazine, written by a female CFO, about the “glass ceiling” in business. She mentioned how she “doesn’t believe there is such a thing” as a glass ceiling, and how women “can have it all… it’s just not easy.” She pointed out that businesses shouldn’t “rely on quota systems” in order to diversify the workplace and that you have to “earn your place at the table.” The solution she gives is that women can achieve success by changing their mindset to one of “I can do this.” As you can imagine, this had me wondering about the writer’s own privilege and pathways to opportunities.

Although that article was addressing the gender gap, similar things have been said about disability diversity.

Therefore, I challenge organisations and businesses, as well as the Green Party as a whole, to look at the pathways to opportunities available for people with disabilities.

Examples include: • If an applicant has to apply through an online form, is the form readable by a screenreader? Is the website itself accessible for people with colour blindness and cognitive barriers? Can the application be completed a different way, such as through email?

• If someone in a wheelchair wants to attend a function, are they able to enter the building? Will they be required to leave the building in order to find an inclusive restroom?

• If someone wants to listen to a keynote speaker, will an NZ sign language interpreter be available? Are seating alternatives provided if someone cannot sit in a standard chair? Can written notes be provided for those with audible comprehension difficulties?

Opening pathways for everyone to be included is not necessarily difficult, but is something overlooked far too often. Creating pathways is a fundamental step towards improving diversity and wider inclusion.

Photo Candace and daughter Isobel, 2015 Pride Parade Candace McCabe is a Co-convenor of the Inclusive Greens network

Our Networks

‘Diversity’ and ‘inclusion’ are buzzwords that are used by politicians and businesses alike, yet their implementation often falls into the same trap that ‘Green’ does (as in “greenwashing”). Nevertheless, like Green initiatives, diversity and inclusion have increasingly important roles in all sectors. As someone who works and volunteers in the disability sector, as well as living with health barriers, diversity and inclusion for people with disabilities and barriers is my passion. Along with my friend Gordon McKewen, I recently became Co-co for the Inclusive Greens network, and I look forward to bringing disability issues to the forefront within the Greens and throughout Aotearoa. A big thanks to the outgoing Co-convenors, Rachael Goldsmith and Chris Ford, for their dedication to the network, and to our fearless leader and muse, Mojo Mathers, for her inspiration and determination.

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Our Networks

Young Greens hit the ground running Mona Oliver

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When you pull up to Jeannette’s farm in the Coromandel, I think there is a collective sense of dread for the three days of no showers and no flushing toilets. That is quickly forgotten when you see the faces of people you only see once a year. And who cares about showers when you get to wake up to a swim in Kauaeranga river? Not me!

Like all Young Greens camps, this year’s was filled with an impressive line-up of workshops. I think it’s impossible to name a favourite, but the one on Te Tiriti, run by Catherine Delahunty and our Young Greens Te Tiriti rep, Scout Barbour-Evans, was the best way to start out on Saturday morning, and it set the tone of the discussion for the duration of the camp.

Another highlight was getting into circles to imitate the three petals of our Party. Each circle elected two coconveners, who then proceeded to move at different paces and attempt to high-five one another. This was an excellent exercise for understanding how our petals intercept, and why sometimes it can be hard to be involved in every decision (and that’s before we get the networks and the rest of the membership involved). I have to say the sprinting done by ‘Caucus’ made me feel quite comfortable in my walking pace as a member of the Party ‘Exec’.

Speaking of Execs, it is so awesome to see this network growing to the point where we had some heavily contested roles. I can’t say for certain, but I am pretty sure six people running for the Co-conveners’ positions must be some sort of record! And I feel deeply honoured to have been elected as the female Co-co for 2018.

Less than two days after the election we hit the ground running, getting in touch with Young Labour, National and NZ First to ask if they would publicly support Chlöe’s medicinal marijuana bill. Unfortunately the Youth Wings felt the same as their respective parties, and we didn’t get much traction there. But we are not giving up hope! The Youth Wings have collaborated before on the Zero Carbon Act, and I hope we can do it again.

What’s next for the Young Greens? Well, to start the year off we will be attending as many protests against the TPP as possible, and will be talking to students at 14 universities during O’week.

Max and I are thankful to be elected as Young Greens Co-conveners, especially given the high calibre of candidates. We are excited to work with young greens around Aotearoa to welcome new young members into this Party. The Young Greens are getting bigger and the momentum ain’t going to stop, so watch out!

To be in touch, contact young.greens@greens.org. nz and we will direct your queries to our Exec and/or campus groups.

Mona Oliver is the Female Co-convenor of the Young Greens Network

Photo Young Green Summer Camp Credit Tim Onnes

Our Networks

Young Green Network Committee 2018 Female Co-convenor: Mona Oliver Male Co-convenor: Max Tweedie Secretary: Jana Walshe Membership Secretary: To be filled Te Tiriti O Waitangi Representative: Scout River Global Greens Representative (woman): Marnie Hubmann Global Greens Representative (any gender): Christian Merten General Executive (Auckland/Northern): Yasmin Prendergast General Executive (Waikato/North East): Danielle Marks General Executive (Central/Wellington): Stacey Rose General Executive (Top of the South/Aoraki): Finn Sawyer General Executive (Deep South): Christian Merten Social Media Coordinators: Finn Jackson and Tim Onnes

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Greens in Government is bad news for Nick Smith’s Nelson highway

Greens Have Their Say

Matt Lawrey

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In sunny Nelson the impact of the Greens getting into Government continues to be huge for anyone taking an interest in the biggest controversy facing the city - the proposed Southern Link highway.

A legacy project for National MP Nick Smith, the road would require tearing up 2km of the city’s Railway Reserve, and heavy traffic being moved from the existing highway around the waterfront to a valley that the Environment Court ruled in 2004 was “fundamentally” the wrong place for such a road.

The new highway is opposed by the Greens and Labour. It would spell the end of a green belt that includes a shared path for walking and cycling that links Nelson to the suburb of Stoke and beyond. It would also cut across the boundaries of two schools, and pass uncomfortably close to numerous childcare centres and a third school.

During the election campaign, National sent Bill English to Nelson to announce that, if re-elected, the Party would commit $135 million to getting the road under construction within the next three years. Taking a leaf out of the Trump campaign, National supporters chanted, “Build the road! Build the road!” at the media stand-up.

It was a promise that National was happy to make, despite no health or environmental impact assessments having been done. The fact there was nothing resembling a budget or a design didn’t bother them either.

For years Smith and right-wing local government candidates, including the current mayor, have treated the proposed highway as a fait accompli. For years they have ignored the Environment Court decision, and the fact that since then three major studies have all concluded that, long before Nelson needs another arterial route, the city has to make improvements to its existing roading network, increase public transport, and do more to encourage cycling and walking.

And while some cheered National on, others were horrified. So alarmed were the schools and kindergartens in the path of the road, that a joint letter was sent home to hundreds of parents warning of the harm National’s promise could do to their children’s health and safety.

On a political level you could understand National’s strategy. Nelson is home to thousands of voters who believe that more roads equal progress, and the pro-link vote was a deciding factor in 2016’s council elections. Yet on the campaign trail last year I couldn’t help feeling that the worm was turning. Smith was the only candidate from a serious political party calling for the link to be built.

Contrary to expectations, the packed transport debate drew a crowd that appeared evenly split on the issue, and letters to the editor suggested a similar divide.

No surprise then that, within seconds of Winston Peters uttering the word “Labour”, the local media were in touch on the subject. This was soon followed by bitter

comments from Smith who said that he now worried about the future of Nelson, and gave roading as his first reason for that concern. He also took the opportunity to describe negotiations with New Zealand First as “Mickey Mouse”, “shabby” and lacking professionalism.

I, on the other hand, called National’s plans to start building the link anytime soon “dead in the water”, and urged my fellow city councillors to now make the longdelayed waterfront walkway-cycleway our priority.

I also went for a very satisfying late night ride down the Railway Reserve.

Since then things have got worse for Smith and the Nelson pro-road lobby, with National deciding not to include the Link as part of its ‘Save Our Regional Highways’ campaign.

So where to from here? Well, ironically, the new Government doesn’t have to do much. The ongoing investigation by NZTA into Nelson’s congestion issues has already concluded that, before any work is done on a new road, the city needs to take the aforementioned steps of improving its existing network, providing better public transport, and doing more to encourage people to walk and cycle.

Based on current projections, NZTA doesn’t think a new road will be needed until the early 2030s. Personally, I’m hoping that the successful implementation of the recommended steps, new technology, more people riding bikes and, of course, the Greens being returned to Government in 2020, will consign the Southern Link highway to the compost bin of history.

Photo Matt Lawrey on the Railway Reserve where National’s Nick Smith has long campaigned for a highway to be built.

Matt Lawrey is a Nelson City Councillor and was the Green Party’s Nelson candidate for the 2017 election

Rodeo belongs in the history books not in modern New Zealand Gareth Hughes

council-owned land. A 2016 Horizon poll found 59% of Kiwis want to see an end to rodeo, and 68% stated they felt closest to the statement that, “Rodeo causes pain and suffering to animals and it is not worth causing this just for the sake of entertainment.” A majority of the public, vets, groups such as the SPCA, and a significant number of countries and states oppose rodeos.

The Green Party believes animals must not suffer to provide entertainment for people and we support a ban on the use of animals in rodeo events. Over summer I’ve been working on a private member’s bill to outlaw some of the worst practises, such as calf roping, and I’ll be seeking other parties’ support.

In our past, dog fighting, bear baiting and cock fighting were all considered community entertainment, but thankfully our animal welfare standards have improved.

Rodeo is also a relic of the past and a clear case where we once again need to improve how we treat those who cannot speak. Rodeo belongs in the history books, not in modern New Zealand.

Greens Have Their Say

Rodeo season is underway and the Green Party is calling for the phase-out of this cruel and outdated form of entertainment. This summer there will be about 33 rodeo events where animals will be wrestled, roped, chased, tied-up, yanked, poked and hurt. Rodeo events trace their history to the Wild West and Mexico, where cowboys demonstrated the cattle ranching practises of the day. Our farming and animal welfare practises have moved on a lot since then. We wouldn’t allow it to happen on a farm or to a pet, but it still happens in the name of fun.

Rodeo events include calf roping, steer wrestling and bull riding, all of which rely on inflicting pain and fear on animals to get them to ‘perform.’ Rodeos involve deliberate cruelty, such as using electric prods and rope burning, and wearing props such as flank straps to provoke distress. They also rely on inherent cruelty, with animals experiencing rougher behaviour than they’d ever experience on a farm. A rodeo featuring a bull quietly chewing its cud, as it would be otherwise likely be doing on a farm, wouldn’t be ‘fun’ to watch, so a variety of means are employed to make the animals run, jump and buck.

Common injuries include broken ribs, backs, necks and legs; punctured lungs; deep internal organ trauma; haemorrhaging and bruising; ripped tendons; torn or stretched ligaments and muscles; torn trachea; and spinal damage and disc rupture. That’s why Peggy Larson, a vet, farmer and former rodeo rider, says, “Based upon my extensive experience with large animals, I have come to the conclusion that rodeo events are inherently inhumane. It is impossible to create a humane rodeo.”

One of the worst events is calf roping, which involves calves as young as three months old fleeing at speed from a rider on a horse. As quickly as possible the rider lassos the calf around the neck, jerking it violently off its feet, dismounts, wrestles it to the ground and ties its legs together.

There is an applicable Code of Welfare, and MPI’s National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee says it “does continue to have reservations about the performance of rodeos, and in particular, the events using young animals.”

While it’s described as a ‘sport’, the animals do not get a say, can hardly enjoy it and in fact are deliberately provoked or frightened to get the desired behaviour. New Zealand law considers animals sentient, yet they are allowed to be put through this. Rodeos only work when animals are running for their lives, riled up and bucking wildly.

Wrestling animals may make the human competitors feel good but the animals, who can’t understand what is occurring, feel the terror of fighting for their lives.

Rodeos are banned in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom. Specific events, like calf roping, are outlawed in many others, including Canada and Germany.

Closer to home, Auckland Council prohibits rodeo on

MP Gareth Hughes is the Greens spokesperson for animal welfare

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Climate change just got personal

Greens Have Their Say

Dave Kennedy

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A little over ten years ago I organised a symposium on climate change to support a Climate Change Tour being conducted by the Green Co-leaders at the time. It was Russel Norman who fronted at the Invercargill meeting, supported by his young staff member, Gareth Hughes. We had invited representatives from local councils, and a visiting scientist from NIWA also spoke.

For many of those attending, the information they received was largely new to them. In 2008, just before the end of its term, the Labour Government established the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

When the National Government was elected later in 2008 there was an instant change of direction, including an immediate dismantling of the ETS. New Zealand experienced a decade of inaction and denial, and we became the seventh worst country in the developed world for emissions per capita.

Invercargill usually expects around 1,150mm of rain in a year, but in 2017 we received around 750mm - less than two thirds of a normal total. Last spring Invercargill experienced unusually high temperatures, and one day in October we sweltered from a record-breaking 25 degrees.

In January temperatures pushed the mercury in our gauges over 32 degrees, the hottest ever recorded from almost 100 years of data. The average high over the summer months is normally 18 degrees, and anything over 20 degrees is celebrated. We are currently celebrating the rare day under 20.

At 46 degrees latitude south, New Zealand’s southernmost city recorded a higher temperature than Auckland has experienced since 1962, and has regularly been experiencing similar temperatures to cities much nearer to the equator. On the days we were sizzling at over 32 degrees, we equalled Cairns, were two degrees warmer than Jakarta and Suva, and six above Nairobi. These cities are used to such temperatures and their ecosystems have adapted to it. It has been a severe shock to ours.

My lawn gave up its green some time ago, and is now browner than at any time in the 25 years we have lived here. This may be common in Central Otago, but not Invercargill. I am writing this near the end of January, normally our wettest month (with an average rainfall of 115mm). With only the occasional, quickly-evaporated shower, we have had 16mm for the month, and no significant rain is predicted.

I have been hand-watering the vegetable garden and our flower beds most evenings, and use mulch to retain moisture. I was shocked when the leaves of many of our trees and bushes suddenly turned brown over a couple of days. Our fruit trees and bushes, and many native species, planted over more than two decades, may never fully recover. My precious quarter acre is experiencing an environmental collapse.

Southland’s rivers and aquifers are now seriously depleted and the Invercargill City Council issued a ban on all outdoor watering (bizarrely also including the use of grey water), possibly until the end of summer. This would have been a death warrant for my large vegetable garden, as we have sandy soil that doesn’t retain water for long.

Luckily the grey water ban was retracted.

Climate change has just got super-personal and I am angry with all of those who have irresponsibly contributed to it. I am angry with the super-rich oil companies whose greed and self-interest meant spending millions of dollars influencing governments and creating doubt around decades of solid climate science - effectively slowing our global response. I am angry with our last government for doing nothing for almost a decade and actually supporting and subsidising industries (fossil fuel, transport and dairy) that increased emissions and exploited our precious water resources. I am angry with all of those in the US (Republicans and Democrats) whose lack of vision saw a president elected who is not fit for the role and who ignorantly believes that supporting the US coal industry is more important than the future of our planet.

With a new Government our country can belatedly implement what we should have already been doing even before 2007, but I am afraid we may be too late.

Dave Kennedy is a member of the Clutha/Southland Greens

Catherine Delahunty

I am enjoying that some of my past Parliamentary colleagues now have ministerial portfolios, and so can effect changes in areas I have campaigned on.

I am heartened that Gareth has picked up my Country of Origin (Food) Labelling Bill. Along with Eugenie and James, he will be able to champion organics and sustainable agriculture to reduce New Zealand’s climate change and water degradation impacts. I was proud to have kept the pressure on those issues. I am also satisfied to have kept up pressure on the risks of genetic modification to the economy, human health and environment of Aotearoa, effected changes to the Food Act, and sped the passing of the Foreign Chartered Vessels legislation.

However the work that I am most proud of was my consistently raising the issues of pesticides, and the rot that seeps through the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and Ministry for Primary Industries. The power of the giant agribusiness corporations has allowed industry interests to influence decision making in those agencies, negatively impacting human health, animal welfare, bee health and soil degradation.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer found that glyphosate (in Roundup, for example) is a probable carcinogen. My work on investigating the EPA’s response to that finding resulted in a hugely-referenced, 185-page document. The report shows the failure of government agencies to meet their statutory obligations to protect the safety and wellbeing of communities and the environment. I hope that it will be the catalyst for change.

We now have the Government and the positions of power to make those changes.

I’ve been spending time with my partner Birte, my sons, their wives and my mokopuna, and reconnecting with our wonderful wilderness. I’m considering a wide range of work/ life options that generally reflect my past activities.

Thank you for having given me the opportunity to support our kaupapa in Parliament.

I am proud to have been part of many important campaigns and issues while a Green MP. The work on quality public education and the Clean Water tour were absolute highlights. I was delighted to persuade the Select Committee to hold an inquiry into students with dyslexia, dyspraxia and those on the autism spectrum. The establishment of a toxic site register and the MOU with the Government that improved the criteria for identifying sites was very significant and, thanks to Gordon Jackman who worked with me, we achieved a lot.

My role as Tangata Tiriti spokesperson is something I will always treasure even though it was tough work.

Standing up for Te Tiriti inside the Greens, in Caucus and in the House was a daily commitment. Such a commitment means using member’s bills and every other opportunity to honour Te Tiriti. I am most proud of the changes I negotiated to the Te Pouhere Taonga Act, which now requires archaeologists to prove cultural competency before being able to work on Māori archaeological sites.

I was also very pleased to have four member’s bills drawn from the ballot on a range of issues, even though the Government blocked them all. My favourites were the Tarawera River Bill and the Public Works Bill on protecting customary Māori land.

However the greatest privilege was to be a champion for the indigenous people struggling for freedom in West Papua.

I worked with Sri Lankan Tamils, Myanmar minorities and others, but the West Papuans are close neighbours, and I will continue to work in solidarity with them.

It was an extremely busy eight and a half years, from which I learned so much from people outside Parliament, and it taught me never to give up the kaupapa of radical change.

If we are not in Parliament to transform politics and the political and economic system, why bother?

Steffan Browning has recently retired after being a Green Party MP between 2011 and 2017

Catherine Delahunty was co-convenor of the Green Party from 2005 to 2008, and a Green MP between 2008 and 2017

Our People

Steffan Browning

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Green World Compiled by Lois Griffiths

Green World

European Parliament European Green Party co-chairs, Monica Frassoni and Reinhard Bütikofer, have criticized the Turkish judiciary for what “seems a purge against all voices that are not perfectly aligned with the government... We European Greens express our solidarity to all accused academics and to the members of the Academics for Peace Network.

We demand that the Turkish authorities drop all charges against them, as well as release all other political prisoners, from NGO workers to foreign journalists.”

Green MEP, Bodil Valero, rapporteur for the European Parliament’s annual report on arms exports, calls for an embargo on arms to Yemen. “It is a scandal that EU member states continue to provide arms and expertise to Saudi Arabia in the war against Yemen... EU countries cannot continue to be party to the horrible suffering being caused there. Saudi Arabia should immediately stop the sea, land and air blockade, and allow full access for humanitarian aid to all parts of Yemen.”

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Austria Many Austrians were angry when they discovered that the parents of the first child to be born in the New Year were Muslims. The parents were subjected to extreme Islamophobic abuse. However, Alexander Van der Bellen of the Green Party congratulated the parents and welcomed their baby daughter, Asel. His message to other Austrians was, “All men are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

USA The Green Party strongly condemned the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to revoke Net Neutrality rules, fearing this would lead to restrictions on access to web sites out of political favour. “It’s not enough just to fight for reversal of the FCC’s decision. We demand public ownership of services that provide Internet access.

The Internet was created with taxpayers’ money. We should all be enjoying the benefits of a free and open Internet,” said Andrea Mérida Cuéllar, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States.

Green Party leaders have accused the Democrats of launching a Russia-baiting campaign to smear Dr Jill Stein, the Green Party’s 2016 Presidential candidate, and the Green Party itself, with baseless accusations and insinuations of colluding with Russia during the 2016 election. Dr Stein is being targeted for having been interviewed by RT, a Russian-owned US-based news media company. Never mind that leaders and candidates from other political parties have participated in interviews with a variety of news media, including RT. Ajamu Baraka, the Green Party’s 2016 Vice Presidential candidate, pointed out that, “This is even more troubling because it’s happening at the same time as a general assault on the public’s access to news, information and ideas.”

The Green Party in Texas has spoken out strongly, opposing and condemning the decisions by President Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and Photo Dr Jill Stein, Green Party nominee for President of the US in the 2012 and 2016 elections

UK Green MP, Caroline Lucas, along with 11 other MPs, has endorsed an early day motion (EDM) expressing support for detained Palestinian teen, Ahed Tamimi of Nabi Salih, who was arrested by Israeli occupation forces in a 19 December night raid on her home. The EDM states that Ahed is being “targeted” by Israeli authorities “because she is the daughter of parents who are leading activists in the popular struggle against the occupation of the village of Nabi Salih.” It also further “acknowledges the reality of repression against ordinary Palestinians, notes the disproportionate response to any action taken Photo Ahed Tamimi (17) has become a symbol of the Palestinian resistance

by Ahed, and rejects the routine use of night arrests and interrogation of minors by Israeli military forces, which fuel further hatred and division.” The MPs urged “the immediate, unconditional release” of Ahed Tamimi.

Deputy Green Leader, Amelia Womack, has urged the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, to be much more ambitious in his pledge to reduce plastic waste. “To fix a problem as systemic as this requires a holistic approach - one that I urge you to adopt. We need to design out waste from the very start of the consumer chain. That means ending the production of single-use plastics, while providing the infrastructure necessary to enable large corporations and individuals to recycle close to 100% of the items they use. Second, we need to invest in alternatives to plastic...

Third, we need to discourage bad behaviour. The tax on plastic bags has already brought enormous benefits... That same model should be applied to plastic bottles, single-use plastics and micro-plastics.”

Green World

to move the American Embassy there. The Greens argue that Trump’s announcement, as well as being against international law, is being seen by Israel as a green light for the continued dispossession, oppression and displacement of the Palestinian residents of Jerusalem.

The National Women’s Caucus of the Green Party has pleaded with Congress to pass a bill, submitted by Minnesota Congresswoman, Betty McCollum, that would prevent the use of US tax dollars for the Israeli military’s ongoing detention and mistreatment of Palestinian children. “When we hear stories about what is happening in Palestine, sometimes the children are forgotten in these stories,” said Joy Davis, co-chair of the Caucus. “Numerous Palestinian children are being detained, tortured, and have been killed.”

Lois Griffiths takes a keen interest in world affairs and has compiled Green World for Te Awa for many years

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MP Reports 20

Gareth Hughes

Julie Anne Genter

I hope everyone enjoyed a fantastic summer with their friends and whanau, and are looking forward to a Green 2018. I spent the Christmas break mostly swimming with my kids in Lake Benmore, which was a great reminder why we are in politics – to protect our beautiful environment. It sure was good to rest after that campaign!

It was a privilege to serve on the Election Campaign Committee and I’m incredibly proud of our team, who navigated us back into Parliament. Thank you to our volunteers whose hard work got us over 5%. There wasn’t much time for a breather though as we went almost straight into negotiations. It was incredible to be part of the Negotiation Consultation Group, and I’d like to acknowledge the other members and delegates who supported the confidence and supply agreement.

My priorities this term are to support the team as our Parliamentary Musterer or Whip, continue portfolio work, and deliver the confidence and supply areas for which I have responsibility. This term my portfolios are Economic Development, Energy and Resources, ICT, Technology, Science, Research and Development, Animal Welfare, Primary Industries and Biosecurity, Tourism, Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Wellington Issues. Phew. In the confidence and supply space I’m looking forward to working with the Government to develop a 100% renewable electricity target, insulation scheme and a solar schools programme.

One new portfolio I’ve dived right into is animal welfare. I’m passionate about animal protection, and this summer I’ve been running a campaign to ban rodeos where animals, including young calves, are hurt and terrified for the viewer’s enjoyment. I strongly agree with our policy that animals shouldn’t be subjected to this cruel and outdated form of entertainment. I’ve been working with campaigning groups, releasing a hard-hitting video of abuses filmed at rodeos, and developing a member’s bill, which I hope other parties can support.

I’m fired up for a big 2018.

Kia ora te whānau kākāriki!

I want to share with you some initial observations I have made from being (partly) inside Government in the past few months: 1. Things move VERY slowly in the public service – and it will be nearly impossible to legally stop some of the decisions made by the previous National Government. In the short term anyway. (Like that last block offer on oil exploration, for example… But we may still be able to stop it from receiving any practical offers. Watch this space!)

2. It will take time to see the results of the mahi we are doing now. Possibly years, in some cases.

3. Labour and NZ First will occasionally do and say things we greatly disagree with (like Shane Jones going off-script on “work for the dole”), YET there is actually far more common ground and goodwill between the three parties than may be evident from the media. This should give us hope.

4. We have right now far more direct influence over some powerful policy levers than we have ever had – and being in this position will make a huge difference both to our people and our planet in the medium to long term.

In short, we are making some really good progress in many areas that are important to us! And while we won’t win all of the short term battles this cycle, we can build the democratic structures and the constituency for more truly Green change. We can be back with far more influence and mandate in 2020. If we stick together.

I am keen to ensure the Party is very aware of and involved in the mahi we are doing in Government. To that end, I am happy to speak to your branch or province, and answer all your questions and hear your ideas and concerns, especially if we can arrange Zoom Video links to the meetings.

Thank you for all your support thus far! If you would like to arrange a meeting, the best contact for me is melisa.webster@parliament.govt.nz

I start 2018 by acknowledging the tough but exhilarating year that’s passed. It was a defining moment for New Zealand’s democracy, which we learned is alive and well. We learned that we have a beautiful system, where every vote counts and we get to have diversity within our government.

As a Green MP outside Government, I savour the responsibility of maintaining our unique voice. For me, human rights cut across all areas, and justice has a lot of policy overlaps. The most contentious portfolios include Trade, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Immigration, and Security and Intelligence. They involve issues where the Green voice is the only point of difference in the House. I relish this challenge.

The first issue will be about trade. The truth is that the ‘new’ ‘Comprehensive, Progressive TPPA’ still allows foreign investors to sue us for law change that detrimentally affects their interests (known as the ISDS clauses). The Government has cited an existing ‘side letter’ excluding Australian companies from ISDS as a win. But I have been able to adduce the concession from our trade negotiators that even Australian companies can easily sue us using offshore registered subsidiaries. ISDS will make it far more difficult for NZ to adopt truly progressive policy on social or environmental issues for generations to come. Environmental protection has been the basis of around 85% of lawsuits brought by multi-nationals against governments under ISDS provisions.

Of equal concern should be preserving our obligations under te Tiriti o Waitangi, also threatened by ISDS. Trade should serve the interests of nature and our people. It should be democratic and transparent. I hope to introduce law that will make archaic trade agreements like this impossible in future.

As Greens we can and must hold on to our unique kaupapa on important issues. Our mandate in Parliament depends on it.

Waitangi Day 2018

MP Reports

Golriz Ghahraman

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Summer Gatherings Dave Kennedy The Green Party’s “Summer Gathering” predated what we now call our Policy Conference. It allowed Green members to congregate in a relaxed and communal, family-friendly environment to talk about all things green and political, as well as policy. Although less structured and more informal than current conferences, these gatherings from over 20 years ago helped create the core policies and organisational structures that our Party still uses.

The images below have been sourced from Michael Pringle, our Party’s archivist (and a previous Green Party Office Manager), and we hope to have more in subsequent issues to remember past events and our Green pioneers.

Those who are interested may like to visit Michael’s blog, where he provides some detail around the beginnings of our Party: https://trailfinder.wordpress.com/2014/09/02/ towards-a-green-party-history-some-draft-notes/

Green History

Photos (below) Mike Ward, past Green MP (2002-2005) and Nelson City Councillor, performing at the 1997 Summer Gathering (bottom) 1997 Summer Gathering at Aongatete Lodge, Coromandel. In the centre is Vivienne Stephens, who was then the Party’s General Secretary (opposite top) 1996 Summer Gathering attendees (opposite below) Jeanette Fitzsimons and Rod Donald at the 1996 Summer Gathering in Nydia Bay, Pelorous Sound

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Green History

Reviews 24

Extinctions Josephine Wilson University of Western Australia Press, 2016

Balfour’s Shadow David Cronin Pluto Press, 2017

The power of good fiction is that it can explore ideas and issues through the lives and relationships of flawed human beings. It doesn’t necessarily have to bring judgement on those ideas or issues. That is left up to us, the reader.

Set in Australia, “Extinctions” invites the reader to think about many contemporary issues, including those of race and culture, through the eyes of three very different people: Fred, a retired, English-born professor of engineering; Caroline, his adopted daughter whose birth mother was both indigenous and indigent; and his new friend Jan, a recently-widowed retired teacher who is suddenly thrust into caring for her neglected grandson.

Each one’s world view is challenged by the others, forcing them, and the reader, to think again about their assumptions.

For Fred and Jan, being parents has not turned out how they had hoped – does it ever? Mistakes they made in good faith come back to haunt them; they ponder whether they are responsible for the son who died an addict, or the one who crashed his car and is now incapacitated for life.

For Caroline, whose parents loved her and who loves them, the questions of her identity and her relationship to her country continue to permeate every relationship, every action.

There can be no definitive answers for any of these people - that is the human condition. All any of them can do is to keep going, to act in the best way they can for those who love them and for their own peace of mind.

At first, I did not much like Fred, but as the novel progressed and the past began to reveal itself I began to feel more empathy for him.

“Extinctions” is a quiet, thoughtful, reflective novel that engages both the heart and mind.

17 November 2017 marked the 100th Anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, the short letter that Arthur James Balfour, British Foreign Secretary at the time, wrote to Walter Rothschild. It began, “His Majesty’s government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people...” This short letter is seen as the beginning of Britain’s huge role in the formation of Israel.

Two of the questions Cronin’s book investigates are why did Balfour make such a commitment for Britain, and under what authority? As Chief Secretary in Ireland, Balfour’s violence earned him the nickname Bloody Balfour. As an MP, he pushed for a tough ‘Aliens Bill’ that allowed Britain to refuse entry to Jews fleeing Russian pogroms.

“Balfour’s Shadow” is not just about what took place in 1917. Cronin researched colonial, foreign and commonwealth office files. His book follows the history of the relationship between Britain and Zionist groups from pre-mandate times to the present; from the December 1917 British capture of Jerusalem through to Theresa May’s declaration of ‘pride’ in Britain’s role.

David Cronin, who is Irish, explains that he was motivated to undertake this project after being told by a friend that Churchill had sent the ‘Black and Tans’ to Palestine.

The American historian, Howard Zinn, has explained why reading history is so important. “The past is past”, he agrees. But, “The important thing is what does it tell us about today and about what we might do in the world?

There’s a present and a future reason for going into the past.”

In other words, what has happened in the past casts a long shadow over what is happening today. Hence, the book’s title, “Balfour’s Shadow.”

Reviewed by Janine McVeagh

Reviewed by Lois Griffiths

Age of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence Laurence Steinberg, PhD, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014

Gillian Candler is an award-winning writer for children and an active conservationist. Ned Barraud is an able artist and illustrator with an eye for detail. This combination has created a very useful and informative picture book about the wildlife that exists - from bittern to caddisfly larva - in and around our creeks, rivers, lakes and wetlands.

The book explains, through text and image, what lives above and below the waterline. It explains the interactions between the environment and the animals, and describes the food chains in each situation. The water cycle is explained, along with the environmental challenges facing our fresh water systems. Lots of extra facts are provided, like Maori traditionally using raupō for weaving, thatching roofs and as a food source. There is also a glossary, index and a list of useful websites for an inquiring child or adult.

While it was written for children, “Up The River” is amazingly comprehensive in its scope and content, and would appeal to all ages, preschool and above.

This is the sixth title from the ‘Explore and Discover’ series from a successful team.

This book is for everyone who cares about young people and their future: parents, teachers, community workers, judges, legislators and more. Drawing from his lifetime of study researching, observing, and working with young people, Steinberg clearly summarizes important current findings about adolescent brain development and related behaviour, and offers practical recommendations for parenting, education, penal/rehabilitation systems and social attitudes.

With adolescence now starting earlier and lasting longer, and with increasing social and technological changes surrounding young people, it is urgent that the opportunities, vulnerability and perils of adolescence are better understood. Steinberg presents new findings regarding the brain’s potential for change at this time, and how this relates to risk-taking, judgement and a wide range of an individual’s learning. He sheds light on adolescent behavior, and suggests strategies for developing the resilience and maturity that our young people need in order to have a positive future.

“A deeply scholarly, readable and important book.

What every parent, teacher, and counsellor MUST know about the adolescent brain, its vulnerabilities, and its tremendous possibilities.” Carol Dweck, PhD, author of “Mindset.”

Reviewed by Dave Kennedy

Reviewed by Betty Shore

Reviews

Up the River Gillian Candler Illustrated by Ned Barraud, Potton and Burton, 2017

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Letters

Te Awa in hard copy, please

My kind daughter sent me “The Best Australian Science Writing 2017” for Christmas. Dipping into this wonderful collection, I realised that a number of the pieces were familiar because I had started to read them online. ‘Started’ being the operative word.

More often that not, my attention had been tugged in another direction, and I had just filed the article in the folder mentally labelled, ‘Must read some time but will probably never get round to it.’

I think it would be a great pity if Te Awa were to become available only online and risk this ignominious fate. I suspect that the actual printing and distribution costs per copy would be less than the clichéd cup of coffee in an Auckland café. So if cost is the problem, it should be possible to add an additional charge to the membership subscription for those of us who still like to escape from our screens once in a while, and feel the paper between our fingers.

Te Awa is a great publication – let’s make sure it gets read as widely as possible.

Jane Young Launched in 2010, “The Little Things” is the brainchild of the Green Party’s 2017 candidate for Nelson, Matt Lawrey, who came up with the idea as a result of his “adventures in parenting.”

“The Little Things” is written by Matt and drawn by Nelson illustrator, Peter Lole. It has been the subject of two books by Potton & Burton Publishing, and appears six days a week in newspapers across New Zealand and in Australia. It has also been published in the UK.

But money isn’t the only thing you can bequeath.

We were asked by a wonderful member if we would be at all interested in their bequeathing us an electric car. Such a generous offer! This car is much loved and has already saved several tonnes of carbon emissions in the time we have owned it.

Green Bites

Your Will Matters Bequests are a wonderful way to make a difference. As you may know, we have already been the grateful recipients of a couple of bequests in 2016. It is so kind of these generous people to include us in their will.

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If you are considering including us in your will, please let us know. Email sonja.deely@greens.org.nz

Deserving winner of Ebike competition a ‘devoted Greenie’ Deidre Main is the deserving winner of the Electric Bike Hub competition promoted in the Summer issue of Te Awa. A relieving kindergarten teacher and a grandmother, Deidre describes herself as a “devoted Greenie” who makes a real effort to promote Green values and practice them in her daily life. Her health challenges have made it difficult to ride her pushbike on outings with her grandchildren, or to ride the distances she used to. Her new ebike has made a real difference to her lifve.

“It’s amazing! It has been life-changing for me, and it’s great to know that I am helping to save the environment by cutting down on my car use. It is a healthy way to get around, especially for people like myself who find cycling and exercise challenging.”

Electric Bike Hub is keen for more Green Party members to experience the growing ebike phenomenon 20,000 were imported last year compared to 2,500 in 2014.

Taking up the company’s generous offer (below) will benefit the Party too.

Photo Christchurch Green, Deidre Main, receives her new green Sprint ebike from Keith Guthrie of Cycle Trading Company Ltd

Join the ebike movement!

Here’s how you can support the Greens and save money with a special offer from Electric Bike Hub and the Green Party!

Every Green Party member gets a $75 discount on our e-bikes! And if you are not a member, but would like to be, we will pay your Green Party membership and still give you $75 off the price of the bike!

Electric Bike Hub is NZ’s most established ebike company and tech leader for 14 years in NZ. Our ebikes have been chosen by seven local bodies right here in New Zealand for their vehicle fleets.

Contact us for information on how to put more green into your life! jace@electricbikehub.co.nz www.electricbikehub.co.nz

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Tax is Love

Poet and Performer Catherine Delahunty Catherine Delahunty is well known for her ability to communicate with passion and wit. Those who have experienced our AGM auctions will be aware of how her energy and humour entertainingly progressed the serious business of fundraising.

Although recently retiring as an MP, it is clear that Catherine will continue to be a political force from outside Parliament. Her one woman show is a challenging critique of our Parliamentary system, and her poem ‘Tax is Love’ is a clever antidote to neoliberal economics.

Question Time Blues

Culture Corner

My show “Question Time Blues” is my public detox from all those years in Parliament. It consists of poems, music and images that tell stories from the House. It challenges the way the system is elitist and monocultural, based on an imported adversarial model that does not reflect Te Tiriti or our reality as a Pacific island. It is both comic and dark because that is how it felt.

I am performing the show in the Auckland Fringe Festival, as well having two sold-out seasons at BATS in Wellington. I have been urged to tour the show but have no funding, so we probably cannot. Many thanks to some Green people and staffers who have helped me so much, including Julie Zhu, Damon Keen, Tim Onnes, Tara Forde and Himiona Grace.

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Photo Catherine continues to fight to end the Indonesian occupation of West Papua

A child at Starship on a drip A classroom of bright portraits Tax is the road to the marae and old bach The railway track that sings The bridge that bridges that deep gully Of alone in the forest or the town Tax is love and a map For water so it’s drinkable, swimmable Alive underground in secret flowing veins Tax is clouds that look like animals When you lie in the park Or pray for the climate Tax is people thinking that other people Need to feel this good and safe In a house with no mould People who believe in each other Giving something for the rainy day The greater good That kind of tax That kind of love

The Green Party Blend - Peoples Coffee Now even your choice of coffee can be a step towards a greener Aotearoa. Wellingtonbased roastery Peoples Coffee have created The Green Party Blend – a fair trade and organic brew with chocolate sweetness and creamy caramel overtones, freshly roasted and made with ethical and sustainable practices from crop to cup. It’s the coffee our MPs and Green Party staff enjoy every day, and now you can too. $16 GST Included for 250g. Freshly roasted each week.

Whole Bean, Espresso, Stove Top, Plunger or Paper Filter Heart Aotearoa - Tote Bag (NZ Made) Saving the planet one bag at a time! Even the humble grocery shop can be something great with this tote bag, made in Aotearoa/New Zealand with accredited Eco Sustainable Textiles – showing that you don’t have to be broccoli to be green.

Price: $15.00

Place your order at www.greens.org.nz/shop

E hara taku toa i te toa takitahi he toa takitini My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective