James Shaw
@jamespeshaw
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On a mission to reduce or remove 150 million tonnes of climate pollution by 2030.
Joined April 2009
Proud to announce NZ has just passed historic climate change law to ensure a safe future for our kids and grandkids. The Bill ensures we are at net zero carbon by 2050 as a country. We’ve led the world before in nuclear free and votes for women, now we are leading again. 💚
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Fishing trawlers have learned how to steal food from Whale Sharks.
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It has been a privilege to work alongside Jacinda Ardern over the last five years of our government. She is one of the most dedicated, authentic, values-driven people I have had the pleasure of knowing. I completely understand her decision to stand aside, but I will miss her.
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Thank you all so much for your messages of support. I’m back and I’m ready to head to the #ClimateStrike 💚
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Shout out to my friends in the New Zealand media - our earliest verified story about climate change is 110 years old today.
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New Zealand became one of the most successful countries in the world at fighting COVID-19 through an absolute commitment to good science and good government. Now is not the time to abandon either.
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#BREAKINGNEWS We are quadrupling the climate aid NZ provides to the countries most affected by the climate crisis. We will provide $1.3b over the next 4 years with at least 50% going to the Pacific. This means NZ is now providing its fair share towards global climate funding.
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I am so proud of our Green team. No small party had *ever* increased its vote after being in Govt. We’ve done it twice! We’re on track for three electorate seats & at least 14 Green MPs. Our new Green caucus will be a strong opposition & fight every day for people & planet.
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@dbseymour Taking an access code and giving it to your followers, who represent some of the most privileged people in our society, so that they can take up spaces intended for some of the most marginalised, and do it in the name of equality, is, truly, a dick move.
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Congratulations @_chloeswarbrick! There is no one I would rather replace me as @NZGreens Co-leader. Ever since we met for a coffee after her mayoral campaign in 2016 she has struck me as a remarkable leader with an extraordinary belief in the power of people to make a difference.
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Awesome to receive this email. To: James Shaw.Subject: Why I Voted Greens. I was dead set on voting National this election. I watched the the new David Attenborough doc last night and decided a tick for Greens and a tick for yourself is a tick for something bigger than myself.
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#BREAKING I have just announced the single biggest action an NZ Govt has ever taken to cut emissions in Aotearoa!. Lower carbon steel made with clean electricity instead of coal. This is huge. It will help kick NZ’s coal habit & cut 800,000 tonnes of CO2, every year.
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We're going to borrow billions from future generations for our recovery. We owe it to them to take this opportunity to fix the climate crisis and remake our future. It's the only way we can be sure we will pass on a planet that will support our children to thrive.
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It is an honour and a privilege to have been re-elected Co-leader of the @NZGreens for an eighth year and to be teaming up again with @MaramaDavidson. I am very grateful for the support that I have received from members and supporters around the country.
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We did it! Climate emergency declared 💚Now, it's time to back it up with action.
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Since NZ’s election campaign kicked off, there has been catastrophic, climate-super charged flooding in:. -Libya.-Greece.-Turkey.-Brazil.-Hong Kong.-Shanghai.-Spain.-Las Vegas. Climate scientists warned for decades this would happen. To be clear: everything we do in NZ matters.
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I am profoundly saddened Kiri Allan won't be standing. She is a very talented MP who will be missed. We owe to those going through their own challenges right now to focus our responses on what more we must do to make sure everyone gets the support they need, when they need it.
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I used to live a few doors down from a gang-run tinnie house where kids in their school uniforms would line up to buy cannabis. They couldn’t buy cigarettes or alcohol at the local dairy. At the referendum, I’m voting for the legalisation, regulation and control of cannabis.
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Actual footage of coalition negotiations.
shaw: sign this birthday card.jacinda: ok, i am kind.shaw: psych lol it was wealth tax.jacinda: you are lucky i am kind.
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In the middle of a climate emergency, did National think to check how much extra pollution and congestion there’d be from building unnecessary highways?. No. They didn’t.
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Do you want nurses, doctors, teachers?.
Do you want tax cuts?
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Congratulations to @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris on their win. I’m looking forward to seeing the US rejoin the international community at this most critical moment in our work together to face the climate crisis.
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BREAKING: We’ve just increased NZ’s contribution to the Green Climate Fund fivefold from $3m to $15m. This fund supports developing countries in the battle against climate change, which is critical if we are going to keep a safe planet for future generations.
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Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the AKL flooding 💚. Thanks to community leaders @RichardHills_ @_chloeswarbrick & others for sharing critical updates. This is climate change. We all have a responsibility to make certain the NZ we leave our kids is safe & habitable.
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Next time you hear a National candidate mention the roads in Singapore or the Netherlands… Or, for that matter, Sweden or Switzerland, remember this 👇.
And again, here’s @jamespeshaw absolutely shutting down National’s climate change spokesperson on @NewshubNationNZ 😃✅
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National wants to cut climate action + double bus and train fares for people on low incomes to fund tax handouts for high-income property speculators. It’s cruel, dangerous and grossly irresponsible.
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The Green Party has done what no support party in NZ's MMP history has ever done - come out of Govt stronger than when we came in. I can't wait to get stuck in with our largest ever caucus. 15 Green MPs who will hold the incoming Govt to account every single day.
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Rod Oram was one of the most decent, committed people I’ve ever met. I’m devastated for his wife, Lynn, and their family. He’s a huge loss to journalism and to the natural world he believed so strongly we are a part of and depend on.
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We’re on course for the most Green MPs we’ve ever had. A vote for the Greens is a vote for:. 🤝Income Guarantee.✅ Fair tax system.🪥Free dental for ALL.⚡️Climate action.🏡Warm homes.🐋 Ocean protection . Every vote, every Green MP gives us a stronger hand to make it happen.
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For only the third time in our history a National State of Emergency has been declared. Please follow official advice and stay safe. This is climate change. The impacts will get worse unless we act NOW to cut emissions quickly and adapt communities for the effects already here.
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Question: What is one of the simplest ways to change the fact that the wealthiest people are paying a lower rate of tax than nurses, MIQ workers, cleaners, security guards and supermarket checkout operators?. Answer: A wealth tax.
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Today I’m very happy to announce that ALL coal boilers in hospitals & schools will be gone by 2025 and replaced with clean energy!.
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Look. As Stats Minister I did question it. Turns out I’m just old.
@Jasonwalls92 @_chloeswarbrick That speech has so much. Swarbrick: "In the year 2050, I will be 56 years old.".Shaw:
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The Greens on over 14% (& 18 MPs) is a really big deal, but it’s not the time to be complacent. Party vote Green for:.✅Income Guarantee.✅Fair tax system.✅Free dental for ALL.✅Climate action.✅Warm homes.✅Ocean protection.
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You shouldn’t have to go broke just to fix your teeth. The Green Party have a plan to make dental free for everyone.
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Extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change should make one thing perfectly clear:. Fossil fuels should not be subsidised. They should stay in the ground.
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It’s almost like the National Party have forgotten that one of the reasons they lost the 2017 election was because New Zealanders were so appalled at the state of our rivers and streams and the National Government’s support for yet more pollution.
Election 2020: Judith Collins says freshwater regulations will be 'gone by lunchtime' and Government is 'destroying this country'
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This is huge. New Zealand’s farming leaders have committed to the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. After decades of debate, we’re nearing consensus as a country. There’s a lot of hard yards yet to go, but this is a very significant step.
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When people talk about the progress the Govt has made this term, many of the biggest changes have been reforms led by @NZGreens. This includes action on climate, nature and inequality. Our job this election is to come back with more MPs so we can go further and faster next time.
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This is horrendous. My thoughts are with the Muslim community and the people of Christchurch.
BREAKING: Christchurch mosque shooting: An eyewitness says scores of people have been shot
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Here’s a headline I’d like to see written about New Zealand one day.
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Thank you for all your support. See you on the other side.
We cannot thank you enough. Biggest campaign in Green Party history. Please remember to vote, and we’ll see you on election night. ✅✅
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Half-price public transport for the next three months. We’re on board!. Next stop, more frequent services in more places - and free fares for good.
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With thousands of households struggling, now is precisely the time to change the tax system. A fair tax on the wealthiest 0.7% people in NZ would raise enough to lift every family out of poverty. If that's what people want, their only option this year is the Green Party.
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If you want Jacinda Ardern leading a progressive government and don’t want Winston Peters holding Labour over a barrel, party vote Green 💚.
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#Breaking It's Christmas time at the @NZGreens party offices. Did I get socks?🧦 Watch the #Unboxing of my #nzsecretsanta gift to find out. 🎁🎄
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Fully on board with half price public transport until Jan ‘23. But why not make it free - for good?. And invest the fuel tax cut in fast, frequent, reliable services right across NZ. Let’s build a better future - and tackle the climate crisis & the inequality crisis, together.
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July is the planet's hottest month in around 120,000 years. This is just the beginning - unless we act. We have everything we need. We know the solutions. What we need is the political will. The only way NZ will act at the pace and urgency required is with more Green MPs.
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We’ve just finished the Multi Party Debate. My message was clear: Party Vote Green for a partner to Labour that will push to go further and faster to tackle the biggest issues we face. ✅ Climate action ✅ Protecting nature ✅ Ending inequality #nzpol.
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Our Poverty Action Plan:. ✅$325 per week Guaranteed Minimum Income for students & people out of work.✅$100 per week Universal Child Benefit for each child under 3 .✅New Family Support Credit + extra help for single parents.✅1% wealth tax for those with a net-worth of $1m+.
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National’s image as competent economic managers was *always* a mirage. As they launch their election campaign today, it’s apparent just how insubstantial that mirage is.
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It was the privilege of my lifetime to serve for ten years as a Member of Parliament, nine as Green Party Co-leader and six as a Minister of the Crown. Thank you for all your support. ICYMI, this is my valedictory statement to Parliament on 1st May:.
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And let’s remember that NewHub had Chloe 18% behind Helen White in 2020 and then Chloe won. Tamatha Paul is running an extraordinary campaign and is in it to win it.
Newshub Nation Reid Research Poll: Labour's Ibrahim Omer is only marginally ahead in Wellington Central #NationNZ
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I have hope for the future. The tinkering you hear from the two major parties does not need to be our future. NZ can be a place where everyone has enough to get by & warm home. Where we take climate action to make our kids proud. It is all possible. Party vote Green.
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The Four Stages of Climate Denial are:.1. Climate change isn't real.2. If it is real, it isn't us .3. If it is us, it's not that bad .4. If it is that bad, it's too late to do anything about it. Climate change *is* real. It *is* us. It *is* bad. And we *can* fix it.
The same commentators who used to say 'nothing needs to be done' about climate change have quickly become the ones saying 'it’s too late to do anything'.
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Re the Nat’s’ so-called 'climate plan': . They are gaslighting NZers… with extra gas.
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#BREAKING The climate pollution NZ is responsible for in 2030 will be half what it is today. This decade is make or break for the planet. So today we’re increasing what we do to help limit global warming to 1.5°C. It’s a huge step but we can & should always strive to do more.
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Tinkering with income tax is fine (and overdue), but it does not address the growing inequality between those who own wealth (things like property & shares), & those who work for a living & earn to provide for their families. To rebalance this @NZGreens must be at the Govt table.
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It is an honour and a privilege. Now let's get to work!
James Shaw, minister of climate change, statistics, and associate minister of finance 💚
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The Green Party's Ending Poverty Together plan:.✅Income Guarantee of $385 for ALL.✅First 10k of income tax-free.✅$385 p/w for students & ppl out of work (plus family top ups).✅80% of income guaranteed if unable to work. Paid for w/.🤝Wealth tax.🤝Trust tax.🤝33% corporate tax.
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I want to make this very clear:. The climate crisis is real & it’s happening now. The UK’s had its hottest day ⛔️ EVER ⛔️. This is the future we risk handing our kids unless we act. It is not too late. We CAN stop this getting worse. It’s up to us. Right here, right now.
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We did it. With the Greens in Government we've delivered strong, lasting climate law. We've got a long way to go, but this is a very good starting point. 💚
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Earlier today @ContactEnergy announced plans for a 1,300 GWh geothermal power station, near Tāupo. They estimate that once up and running this will reduce NZ's emissions 450,000 tCO2e every year. This is the equivalent of taking at least 200,000 petrol cars off the road.
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You’d be forgiven for missing this with everything happening, but the US left the Paris Agreement this week. If Joe Biden does win the election, I hope that one of his first acts is to rejoin the other 189 countries who are committed to climate action.
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NZ's climate emissions in 2022 are estimated to be lower than at any point this century. Reversing plans for more buses & trains, or promising more congested roads would undo this progress. We’re in a climate emergency, the time is now for every political party to act like it.
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It’s simple. Poverty shouldn’t be a rite of passage for students. Decades of political decisions have normalised and entrenched student hardship. Our young people deserve better. Starting with boosted allowances, rent controls, a rental WOF, and free public transport.
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Astonishing that as the world convenes for talks on cutting emissions, limiting warming and supporting the developing world, the Nats decide to double down on a policy to do the exact opposite🤦♂️.
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Secret identity = blown.
James Shaw at Waitangi / Dick Frizzell, Four Four time (detail), 2009. (Image: @jo_moir).#nzartparallels
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📢 POLL 63% of people support free dental for everyone paid for by a wealth tax. The time is now.
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#BREAKING We have just passed a law that will ensure our biggest polluters play their part in tackling the climate crisis. Fixing the ETS means we now have one of the world’s most ambitious frameworks for reducing emissions so we can leave behind a cleaner planet for our kids.
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It was 21 years ago today, in 1999, that former co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimmons won the Coromandel electorate on special votes and the @NZGreens entered Parliament. 💚🌏.
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This is who I want representing our hometown in Parliament. I’m stoked to back @TamathaPaul as our new @NZGreens candidate for Wellington Central! 💚
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I know it's a Monday and all, but I reckon I might pop that bottle of bubbly tonight and raise a glass to all the people of this fine country. Ka pai, Aotearoa. Also, wash your hands. .
Today is a significant milestone as we announce that the last active case of COVID-19 in New Zealand has recovered. ..This means there are now 0 active cases in New Zealand. ..Thank you for staying home, playing it safe and for supporting those fighting the virus 💛
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That I was able to stand up in Parliament today and declare a climate emergency was the result of many years of hard work by thousands of people. To everyone of you, thank you for all you have done. The declaration belongs to you. 💚 We now owe it you to back it up with action.
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Only the Greens will make dental care free for EVERYONE - and pay for it with a fair tax system. The more votes we get, the more MPs we have in Parliament, the more Ministers we have sat around the table, the more chance we have to make it happen ✅.
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Today our Government finally closed the loophole in the RMA that allowed projects like fossil fuel plants get consents without considering their impact on the climate. The green movement has been trying to get this fixed for 15 years - and today we did!.
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Knocking it out of the park. As usual.
Marama Davidson talking Green cost of living solutions and the crowd at the debate is loving it. ✅✅
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Huh. Turns out price incentives work.
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And yet National snubbed my invitation to attend COP26 in Glasgow, the most significant UNFCCC conference since Paris. They have the gall to say this the same week they commit to new fossil fuel production. National will say anything to win power.
National says Ardern isn't attending COP27 because she's got 'nothing big' to talk about
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To be clear, a wealth tax will pay for:. ✅ Income Guarantee of $385 for everyone (plus family top ups).✅ First 10k of income tax-free.✅ $385 p/w for students.✅ Free dental for ALL.✅ Warm homes. If you're in the majority of NZers that want a fairer tax system, vote for it.
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This election is on a knife edge. Do we want a Green Ocean Minister, or an Nat/ACT Fisheries Minister beholden to their corporate buddies?. Today we've made our position VERY clear. 🐬30% protection by 2030.🐟Independent Ocean Commission.🌊AND a Green Minister to make it happen.
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“Banning military style semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles makes everyone safer. Banning these guns is the first step towards systemic changes to our gun laws.”
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Dear reader, coal imports are at their lowest since 2013.
Analysis: Whichever way you cut it our next PM didn’t set the world on fire in the leaders debate. Tova O'Brien punches out the parts, just how did each of the Chrises score?
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Aotearoa has always had storms and floods. But the frequency and severity of those storms is increasing because of the climate crisis. Climate change is no longer happening somewhere else, to someone else, sometime in the future. It’s happening here, to us, now.
New Zealand floods could take years to clean up, with 1,200 people displaced
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I can help with that.
63% in tvnz vote compass poll want more done on climate change #Election17 #climatechange.
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Politicians using hateful language need to understand it emboldens others & erodes democracy. The consequences can be significant. We owe it to people to create a safe space for .debate. We are devastated by this & send aroha to Hana-Rawhiti, whānau & @Maori_Party.
Te Pāti Māori are not strangers to hate speech and online threats. This week however, a line was crossed. Our Hauraki-Waikato candidate, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi Clark’s home was invaded, vandalised, and left with a threatening letter.
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The most important thing to understand about the wealth tax is this:. It will raise enough money from the wealthiest few to pay for:.✅Income Guarantee.✅$10k tax-free threshold.✅Tax cut for 95% of NZers.✅Free dental. and more. There is enough. It's just a matter of choice.
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Jeanette Fitzsimons made it her life’s work to build a better Aoteaora New Zealand. She was exceptional and the beacon by which so many of us navigated. At a memorial service this afternoon we say goodbye, but forever we will stand on her shoulders.
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The Green Party is today making a Pledge to Renters. In the first 100 days of a new govt, we will introduce legislation so everyone who rents always has a safe, healthy and affordable place to call home. 📋Rental Warrant of Fitness.🤝Rent Controls.📑Register of Landlords.
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I yield, sir. The field is yours.
In becoming Minister of Statistics James Shaw has seized the production of means.
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Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman.
You.
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To Jeanette’s beloved family we share your grief. Jeanette was one of the most determined, generous &humble people I’ve known. Her leadership is why climate change &wellbeing economics are now priorities for Aotearoa NZ. She made us all better. She made NZ better. We’ll miss you.
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The @NZGreens campaigned for years to increase the minimum wage. Tomorrow will see the largest ever rise in the minimum wage ushered in.
Tomorrow will see the largest ever rise in the minimum wage ushered in. An increase of $1.20 will bring it to $17.70 an hour.
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Here @marcdaalder essentially explains why National’s plan to ditch the Clean Car Discount is so bonkers. Not only is the CCD the most successful climate policy *ever* in NZ, it also means cleaner air, & saves people $$. It’s as close to an ideal govt investment as you can get.
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It is starting to look like the strategy of eliminating the COVID-19 virus within New Zealand may be working. But to actually do so, we need to stick to the strategy, not abandon it half way through. We can do this, Aotearoa.
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