Balmoral food-fight goes before consent hearing

The ongoing fight between a group of community activists in Mt Albert and a fast-food giant is scheduled to take another turn, with both sides planning to attend a hearing set down for June 8.
The eight-day resource consent hearing is the latest chapter in a conflict that began two years ago, when McDonald’s announced [...]

Still thinking green in tough times

New Zealand’s construction industry is focusing its efforts toward promoting and educating clients on sustainability, despite the impact of the recession.
Hawkins Construction sustainability manager Craig Watkins says sustainability is becoming the “industry norm” as tenants are demand more environmentally friendly buildings.
“In a recession, sustainable building construction is even more important as it reduces costs [...]

Some customers disgruntled by plastic bag charge

The Warehouse’s plans to charge for plastic bags have angered some customers who claim it is purely a profit-oriented goal.

Despite support for the change from Greenpeace and the Green Party, some Warehouse customers are saying the charge is being disguised as an environmental issue when really it is about making money for the [...]

Debating the future of New Zealand foreign policy

Gordan Copeland and Hon Jim Anderton
Members of the major and minor parties spoke on foreign policy and New Zealand’s opportunity to make a difference internationally at a debate that tackled defense, human rights and global warming.
Six parliamentarians and candidates came together to talk about the coming election, their parties’ vision and New Zealand’s place in the wider world at [...]

Alliance, Residents Action Movement and the Workers party off to the left

Those of you on the Left will find more than just Labour, Greens and the Progressives on the ballot vying for your vote.  You can also leave your little orange tick in the box alongside the Alliance, the Resident Action Movement (RAM) and the Workers Party, along with various Leftist independents.
Alliance has had a rough [...]

No policy provisions for climate change refugees

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Climate change may cause millions to lose their homes. However, New Zealand political parties did not have a policy on the subject when asked at the Oxfam Tackling Climate Poverty debate on Monday.
Labour Minister responsible for climate change issues David Parker, National spokesperson for climate change Nick Smith, Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimmons, Progressive’s deputy leader [...]

Editorial: The slogans, soundbites and serious stuff.

So this election is all about trust, or is it about a brighter future?
Party slogans are the new detailed policy. “Vote for me” – say the Greens, lest we cast our vote for someone over the age of eight who owns their own shoes. The Act Party is this election’s A-Team as it has “the [...]

Greens’ Carapiet to Labour: Remember your friends

The Green’s Mt Albert candidate hopes New Zealanders will give Labour the chance to govern for a fourth term, provided they build a strong coalition including his party.
Jon Carapiet is standing for Mt Albert for the third time this year–having won around five percent of the electorate vote in the past two elections–and thinks Labour [...]

Ethnic minority MPs given boost by party lists

Party lists have enhanced the diversity of Parliament in the face of prejudice against candidates from ethnic minorities, says New Zealand’s first Indian MP, Dr Ashraf Choudhary.
Choudhary, who was elected from the Labour list in 2002, says he believes in principle that candidates who are chosen for the party lists should be judged on the [...]

Sue Bradford: Committed to the cause of the Kiwi underdog

She’s had a tougher life than most and received a roasting from critics over her “anti-smacking” bill, but Sue Bradford is still smiling. Jamie Melbourne-Hayward asks the Green Party MP what makes her tick.�
In a dingy little room behind the Otahuhu community hall in South Auckland, MP Sue Bradford released the Green Party’s housing policy [...]