Latest news with #ChlöeSwarbrick
NZ Herald
19 hours ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
The Green Party's most radical plan yet, and how Labour inspired it
Green Party co-leaders Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson. Photo / Mark Mitchell James Shaw's fate was sealed months before he entered Government. In March 2017, Shaw, and Labour's Grant Robertson, both finance spokespeople, published the Budget Responsibility Rules: five relatively plain commitments to keep tax, spending and borrowing levels roughly in line with historic norms, and just slightly
RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
MPs pay tribute to Takutai Tarsh Kemp
Wreaths on the House seat of Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith MPs woke on Thursday morning to the sad news that one of their contemporaries, the MP for Tāmaki Makarau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp had died on Wednesday evening aged just 50. The first term MP for Te Pāti Māori had taken leave from her Parliamentary duties last year after being diagnosed with kidney disease, but had been back at Parliament just a week prior to her death. As a mark of respect, the sitting day on Thursday adjourned early for the week. Before adjourning, the House was able to hear tributes from colleagues, who offered memories, condolences, reflections, and eulogies. The first three speeches - from National's Tama Potaka, Labour's Peeni Henare, and The Green's Teanau Tuiono - were almost entirely in te reo Māori. Labour Party MP, Peeni Henare during Parliament's obituaries for fallen Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith Tuiono, chose to split his call with his colleague, Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick, who said. "That smile and sense of humour and the warmth of Takutai Moana Tarsh Kemp will never leave us. She was a thoughtful, kind person who lived her values through her service. …In moments like this, I think that we are all gravely reminded of how fragile life is, but how the great stabiliser can indeed be love and integrity. Moe mai rā e te tuahine." Act Leader and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour was next to speak. "She was a true representative, and in her brief time in Parliament, she made a firm impression. She left no doubt about what she was here to do and who she was here to serve, and she did that even while facing and battling a chronic illness." New Zealand First MP, Shane Jones during Parliament's obituaries for fallen Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith This is the second death of an MP in as many years, with the Greens' Efeso Collins passing away in February of last year. New Zealand First's Shane Jones, acknowledged this and shared his perspective that in sobering moments such as a death, we're reminded what politics is ultimately about. "Yes, politics is a contest, but at the base of politics is the pursuit of humanity, and today we respect the contribution that this woman has made to our nation in the various pathways her life has taken her down. Perhaps, as reflective of her personality, I can say nothing better than what is outlined in Romans: 'Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.' Farewell, Takutai." Labour's Willie Jackson was the last to speak before the House adjourned early, perhaps lifting spirits a bit with lighthearted anecdotes that were also quite genuine reflections about how, in Māori politics, an enduring whanaungatanga or connection remains, even through political disagreement. "She was such a vivacious, passionate woman ... I was listening to Tama Potaka and that last committee we did - Tama was fronting it, and we were giving it to Tama Potaka at the Select Committee, and she had the last kōrero," he said. Labour Party MP, Willie Jackson during Parliament's obituaries for fallen Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith "It was very, very clear what she felt about her relation Tama, in the National Government, and Audrey Young put that in the Herald this morning. I thought that was fabulous ... because in many ways, as the minister knows, that sort of sums up Māori politics. We just can go to war sometimes. Tama can be terrible to myself and Peeni Henare, you know-terrible-and Shane Jones, and particularly Winston Peters. You know, we can destroy each other. We can destroy each other, and then, you wouldn't think it was the same people-we'll be having a cup of tea and a kai out the back at the marae. It's the nature of Māori politics. "When I look at Manurewa and I look at my brother Peeni Henare over here, who has almost been traumatised by this, you would not have believed that a war went on in South Auckland for that Tāmaki-makau-rau seat. You would not believe how tough it was-the different sides-how passionate people were, and people would have thought that they would have been enemies for ever. But their whanaungatanga ties them for ever and a day. "I think that's the difference with Māori politics. We will always be tied by our toto, by our whakapapa, and by our identity, and Peeni Henare and Tarsh Kemp couldn't have been any closer. He's shed a few tears for Tarsh today. We all have shed a few tears for Tarsh-a passionate, vivacious, magnificent woman-and it's only right that we honour her today." At the conclusion of the speeches, all MPs stood to sing the waiata Whakaaria Mai, before the House was adjourned until Tuesday, 15 July. You can listen to the audio version of this story by clicking the link at the top of the page. *RNZ's The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament's Office of the Clerk.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Govt Abandons Beyond Oil And Gas Alliance
Christopher Luxon's Government pulling out of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance is just the latest sign they care little for the climate crisis or cost of living it'll exacerbate, says the Green Party. 'Luxon's Government is throwing public money, oil, coal, and gas onto the climate crisis fire. Today they've told the world that they don't care about a stable climate or regular peoples' lives,' says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Climate Change, Chlöe Swarbrick. 'Yesterday, we revealed that it took the Government just six months to breach a trade agreement they themselves signed up to with a $200 million handout to the fossil fuel industry. Today, we wake up to news that they are pulling our country out of an alliance to support nations' transition away from dependence on fossil fuels. 'The Government is straight up lying to New Zealanders when it talks a big game about renewables. They are handing out subsidies to fossil fuel extraction beginning in a decade, cutting local energy efficiency programmes, breaching our international agreements, and now walking away from long-standing coalitions with historically bipartisan support. 'Why would the Government do this? Well, it helps secure profits of fossil fuel executives and makes life harder for regular people. That tells you everything you need to know about who they think they work for. 'It doesn't have to be this way. The Greens know the economy can work for the wellbeing of people and planet, instead of exploiting and exhausting both, and our Budget, Industrial and Fiscal Strategies make that a reality,' says Chlöe Swarbrick.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Govt's $200mill Fossil Fuel Handout In Breach Of Trade Agreement
Legal advice commissioned by the Green Party shows the coalition Government's $200 million 'investment' in new gas fields is a clear breach of the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS). 'The National Party tell us they're good economic managers then tank the economy; they tell us they're committed to our climate commitments then breach those commitments,' says the Green Party Climate Change spokesperson and co-leader, Chlöe Swarbrick. 'It took just six months for this Government to breach a trade agreement that they themselves signed up to. In November last year, Trade Minister Todd McClay sent out a PR celebrating signing the ACCTS. In May's budget lock-up, we spotted that their $200 million hand out to fossil fuel companies was probably in breach of that very agreement. 'True to type, we weren't able to get straight answers out of the Government. It became clear they didn't commission any advice or do any due diligence. So we did the work. 'An independent KC's legal advice shows the Government's $200 million hand out for new gas fields falls clearly within the definition of 'a prohibited fossil fuel subsidy,' in breach of Article 4.3 of the ACCTS. This 'investment' doesn't meet the threshold for any exceptions. 'There's no grey area here. This is a blatant violation of our international commitments. 'If the Government cared about energy security or regional resilience, they would be investing in distributed renewable energy. Instead, they've decided to throw gas on the climate crisis fire and spit in the face of our Trade and Climate Agreements while lining the pockets of fossil fuel executives. 'The Greens are calling on the Government to recall this fossil fuel handout and spend the money on things that will actually make a positive difference,' says Chlöe Swarbrick. Note:
Scoop
16-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Greens Show Willis' Fiscal Straight-Jacket Is Junk, Validate Case For Strong Public Investment
The Green Party has released its fiscal strategy, demonstrating how we can and must invest in the real-world needs of our country, planet and people. 'New Zealanders deserve a Government that actually governs our economy for the good of all of us. Unfortunately, what we have got at the moment is a Government fixated on self-made constraints while the real world crumbles around us,' says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Finance, Chlöe Swarbrick. 'Last month, our Green Budget showed that a better world is possible. We can rapidly reduce climate-changing emissions, invest in free GP visits, free dental care, free early childhood education and so much more. 'Our Fiscal Strategy unpicks the daft 'computer says no' argument standing in the way of this critical investment. We show how forty years of bad fiscal programming have produced devastating real-world results as our hospitals, schools and infrastructure fall apart. 'We are proud to be setting the economic agenda with a clear, credible plan to build the country New Zealanders want to fight for, instead of leaving in record numbers. 'Our Green Budget, Industrial Strategy and Fiscal Strategy form the most comprehensive, real-world, evidence-based economic policy of any party in Parliament. They constitute the only serious plan to actually improve our economic and climate resilience and create tens of thousands of good green jobs. 'Let the Government's latest round of name-calling ensue. We'll continue to do the work to show New Zealanders how we can build the country we all deserve,' says Chlöe Swarbrick.
