The forthcoming election will be crucial. New Zealand faces challenges of environmental degradation and climate change, inequality and poverty, and a commodity dependent, heavily indebted economy. As a vibrant and growing community within our diverse New Zealand society, the Indian community’s choices at the next election will make a huge difference to the outcome.
The Green Party wants to build on our strengths for the future – our environment and our clean green reputation, our diverse and skilled people, including our migrant communities, and the emerging new innovation economy. At the heart of Greens policy is sustainability – a clean environment, an inclusive society and a fair economy, all working together.
The Green Party will tackle climate change. As New Zealanders, we cannot turn away while low lying areas of India, Asia and the Pacific suffer from the damaging impacts. New Zealand is one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gases per person, and we must play our part. We can also benefit from job opportunities through the growing clean technology sector worldwide. The Green’s policy
on climate change puts a price on emissions and returns the revenue to the public through a tax free allowance of $2,000 on income tax and a cut in company tax. It is supported through policies on warm homes, safe cycling and better public transport, energy efficiency and innovation.
We must also step up to the challenge of inequality and child poverty. This is crucial if we are to build an inclusive society, with opportunities for all, free from violence. The Greens policy on school hubs will provide support for teachers and staff in low decile schools, adding nurses and social services into a ‘school hubs’ that identify kids needs at an early age and provide support.
Green Party policies also tackle the high costs that make living in places like Auckland a struggle for most families. The Greens have announced a progressive home ownership policy that will provide young families with a pathway to home ownership through shared equity in the home. This is supported by investment in affordable housing and a ‘warrant of fitness’ to ensure that rented homes are safe and warm.
The Greens believe that there shouldn't be false trade-offs between environment, community well-being and the economy – we need them to work together to build a better society for all. Give your party vote to the Green Party at the election on 20th September to make this happen.