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    • Come chat with Russel
      • When:  Thursday, August 14, 2014 - 5:30pm - 6:30pm Where:  SU217, Victoria University Join Russel Norman to hear about the Green Party's plan for a smarter, cleaner, fairer New Zealand.

    • Come chat with Russel at Victoria University
      • When:  Thursday, August 14, 2014 - 5:30pm - 6:30pm Where:  SU217, Victoria University Join Russel Norman to hear about the Green Party's plan for a smarter, cleaner, fairer New Zealand.

    • Tararua Tramping Club political debate
      • When:  Tuesday, August 5, 2014 - 8:00pm - 10:00pm Eugenie Sage and representataives of other Political Parties debate: Climate change - the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, and mitigation / adaptation for NZ's natural ecosystemsFreshwater quality - support for intensive agriculture versus maintenance and enhancement of freshwater qualityBiodiversity threats/pest control - support for the Battle for Our Birds and increasing use of 1080 for predator control.Role of DoC - protection/use of conservation/stewardship land (including West Coast logging), DOC's RMA advocacyRMA - Does your party support the removal or downgrading of key environmental bottom lines in Part II of the RMA?Marine management - need for a clear marine planning framework that includes marine protection?

    • Govt fudging figures over Transmission Gully - Green Party media release
      • The government is fudging the figures over Wellington road project, Transmission Gully, the Green Party said today. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said today it had let the contract to a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for "a net present cost of $850 million". "The Government needs to come clean. In fact, the cost is $125 million per year for 25 years, so the total cost is over $3.13 billion for 27 kilometres, which works out at over $115 million per kilometre," Green Party spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said. "NZTA says the contract cost $25 million less than it would cost through conventional means, but it spent over $30 million just on the contracting process. "The PPP is not a way of saving money, it is a way of hiding an expensive loan using the private sector. "This project will be designed, constructed and maintained by private interests and these are largely foreign interests. "Japan's Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, will be the lead financier of the PPP while Australian firm Leighton Contractors will also play a lead role. "Public-Private Partnerships are supposedly about getting value for money but, once again, we see they are in fact cash cows for financiers, lawyers, and foreign companies while taxpayers foot the bill. "All up, Transmission Gully is expected to deliver only $360-$500 million worth of benefits. The opportunity cost is the billions we will not be spending on smart, green alternatives that would have made it easier for people to get around, and urgent safety upgrades to roads that are used by more people every day," Ms Genter said.

    • Eugenie Sage on Back Benches TV
      • When:  Wednesday, July 23, 2014 - 6:15pm - 7:15pm Where:  Backbenchers Pub Molesworth Street and PRIME TV at 10:30pm. Come and see Eugenie Sage on Back Benches tonight or watch on PRIME TV

    • Basin Flyover decision victory for common sense
      • The Green Party welcomed the Environmental Protection Authority's draft decision announced today not to allow the $90 million Basin Reserve flyover in Wellington to proceed. "Both popular and expert opinion opposed the flyover. The proposal was expensive, unnecessary and would have undermined the Basin's heritage value," said Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter. The EPA today released its draft decision not to allow the controversial project to proceed. Of 215 submissions received by the EPA, 83 percent opposed the flyover in full, or in part. Ms Genter was an expert witness at the hearing. "This decision is a victory for common sense. National's obsession with motorways is wasteful and unpopular," Ms Genter said. "National should take note of the decision and put resources into upgrading public transport and cycle lanes, which cost less and create a more vibrant city. "Every day the Government says we can't afford wasteful public spending, yet the Basin Reserve flyover had a poor cost benefit analysis and is more costly than other options. "NZTA's own data shows declining traffic volumes on the propose route. The flyover was a solution looking for a problem. "A poll this week sent a clear message to the Government over its transport priorities - give us better public transport rather than more roads. "The vast majority of people coming into Wellington take public transport, cycle or walk. People want frequency, reliability and affordability. "Investment in public transport as well as cycle lanes would have the double dividend of enhancing the transport most people use and further reducing car traffic. "A massive concrete motorway flyover was an invitation for future urban decay and crime. It is the exact opposite of smart transport planning, and the EPA clearly understood this. "A smart, green approach to transport gets more people and freight moving, while enhancing the valuable land in the central city." A final decision will be made on August 30.

    • Good Lives, Healthy Future: a GreenPrint for Health - Masterton
      • When:  Monday, June 23, 2014 - 7:30pm - 9:00pm Where:  Frank Cody Lounge, Masterton Town Hall Green MP Kevin Hague will be offering an assessment of the challenges facing us all in the Health area, and positive green solutions for those challenges, including a focus on preventing illness in the first place. Contact: john [dot] hart [at] greens [dot] org [dot] nz (John Hart), 027 438 4727

    • Switched On Solar Stall - Wellington
      • When:  Friday, June 13, 2014 - 11:00am - 1:00pm Where:  Bucket Fountain, Cuba St, Wellington Come and join Russel Norman and the Wellington Greens to run a solar-powered stall promoting our switched on energy policies.

    • Don’t scrap Wellington’s trolley buses
      • How to make a submission Make a submission at the Greater Wellington Regional Council website Closes 9th May 2014 at 5pm. Make a submission to the Wellington Regional Council Public Transport plan and request: That the Greater Wellington Regional Council defer making any decision about the future of Wellington’s trolley buses until it has conducted a trial to upgrade several existing trolley buses with modern high efficiency motors and batteries that can be charged either from overhead wires or by being plugged in at a depot. That Wellington keeps its overhead wire network, to ensure that Wellington remains resilient, and retains the option of electric powered public transport. Background The Green Party is launching a campaign to retain and upgrade Wellington’s trolley buses, and convert them into a more efficient, reliable and flexible bus service, using the latest electric vehicle battery technology. This new technology could greatly improve the performance of trolley buses, and ensure that they are as flexible and reliable as diesel buses, but without the emissions or noise of diesel buses. It is therefore calling on the Wellington Regional Council to delay its plans, outlined in its Public Transport plan, to scrap the trolley buses, and conduct a trial to see how trolley buses perform with rechargeable batteries and high efficiency motors installed into them. If the trial is successful, it would like to see the entire fleet of trolley buses upgraded in this way. Wellington is fortunate to have a fleet of quiet, zero emitting, climate friendly trolley buses, which run on renewable energy sources instead of diesel, and therefore insulate us against any potential future oil shocks. New Zealand Bus has recently invested $40 million dollars in upgrading our trolley bus fleet, and as a result, our trolley buses have a further 10 -15 years of life in them. As well, the trolley bus overhead wires have also been upgraded, and are used to support our internet network in Wellington. At the same time, electric battery technology is evolving rapidly, and modern batteries and charging systems are now available that could transform our trolley bus fleet and make it more flexible and efficient, able to travel substantial distances without relying on overhead wires. These modern batteries could be recharged through our existing overhead wires, or through wireless charging technologies, to make them even more efficient. Given this new technology, we believe it would be a major mistake to scrap our trolley bus fleet and close off future, sustainable options in a rapidly developing field. It would be particularly short sighted to get rid of our only non-polluting form of transport before we have decided what would replace them. And it would foolhardy to replace zero emission trolley buses that run on renewable energy, with oil-based diesel buses. Instead we should trial the new technology, and assess their effectiveness. If the trial is successful, we should convert the rest of the trolley bus fleet. We therefore propose that an existing trolley bus is modernized with a high efficiency motor and batteries that can be recharged from overhead wires, or by being plugged in at a depot. Another charging system, using induction at stops, could be used to trial the ability for trolley buses to run off-wire for sections of a route. Yet another option would be to trial a trolley bus with a diesel generator backup, and a hybrid bus, and compare all these different buses for their performance and efficiency. We need to recognize, too, that our overhead wires are part of our strategic infrastructure, and enable electric powered public transport. Any future electric powered transport could use our overhead wire network. At a time when fossil fuels are becoming scarcer and rising in cost, it makes sense to have the option of using renewable energy to power public transport. Taking down the overhead wires, as is proposed in the Regional Council Public Transport plan, would close off this option forever, and would be the equivalent of pulling up the railway lines. We further note that: New Zealand electricity is around 75% renewable, with large untapped resources of wind and solar energy if demand grows. Electric vehicle technology is evolving very rapidly, with lower costs and higher performance. There are about 400 public transport systems operating trolleybuses worldwide, with over 600 new trolleybuses scheduled for delivery this year. International research is increasingly highlighting the health risks of operating diesel vehicles in busy pedestrian streets—some cities have already banned diesels in inner city areas. New electric buses cost around one million dollars each to purchase, and we believe it may be more economical to upgrade our existing trolley bus fleet than scrap it and purchase new electric buses.  Hybrid buses could also use trolley poles in town. And a future light rail system could also tap into a well-established system. Submission Guide That no decision is made about replacing Wellington’s fleet of trolley buses until a zero-emitting alternative option has been selected. Say you do not want our non-polluting trolley bus fleet replaced with oil-based, polluting trolley buses. How to make a submission Make a submission at the Greater Wellington Regional Council website Closes 9th May 2014 at 5pm. Related content Wellington transport Economy e-news

    • Kids at the Heart of Education Nationwide Speaking Tour - Lower Hutt
      • When:  Tuesday, April 15, 2014 - 7:30pm - 8:30pm Where:  Lower Hutt Tramping Club, Birch Street, Waterloo Come and hear Green Party MPs Catherine Delahunty and Holly Walker speak about how our schools as community hubs plan can help schools play an even greater role in engaging families and ensuring a great education is accessible to all children. Featuring special guest speaker Julia Milne, founder and co-ordinator of Epuni's Common Unity Project. https://www.greens.org.nz/schoolhubs

    • Good Lives, Healthy Future; A Greenprint for Health tour, Central Wellington meeting
      • When:  Tuesday, May 13, 2014 - 7:00pm Where:  Sustainability Trust, 2 Forresters Lane, Te Aro, Wellington Green Party Health Spokesperson Kevin Hague is taking the Green Party vision of an active, educated, and healthy society on the road. In conjunction with local Green Party branches, he is hosting evening public meetings in upwards of 25 venues around the country from the end of February to the middle of May. Kevin will be speaking at the meetings about the challenges facing us all in health and healthcare, and positive green solutions, including a focus on preventing illness before it happens. He will be available to meet you in person and answer questions on the Green Party plan. All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP for numbers to Steve Preston at steve [dot] preston [at] greens [dot] org [dot] nz. Any questions about the Good Lives Healthy Futures tour, please contact Kevin Hague's office on 04 817 8253 or EA [dot] KevinHague [at] parliament [dot] govt [dot] nz

    • Good Lives, Healthy Future; A Greenprint for Health tour, Hutt Valley meeting
      • When:  Monday, March 31, 2014 - 7:30pm Where:  Hutt Valley Tramping Clubrooms, Birch Street Reserve, Waterloo Green Party Health Spokesperson Kevin Hague is taking the Green Party vision of an active, educated, and healthy society on the road. In conjunction with local Green Party branches, he is hosting evening public meetings in upwards of 25 venues around the country from the end of February to the middle of May. Kevin will be speaking at the meetings about the challenges facing us all in health and healthcare, and positive green solutions, including a focus on preventing illness before it happens. He will be available to meet you in person and answer questions on the Green Party plan. All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP for numbers to Carolyn Nimmo at nimmoc5 [at] gmail [dot] com. Any questions about the Good Lives Healthy Futures tour, please contact Kevin Hague's office on 04 817 8253 or EA [dot] KevinHague [at] parliament [dot] govt [dot] nz

    • Take Action for Animals; Wellington public meeting
      • When:  Monday, March 31, 2014 - 6:00pm - 7:30pm Where:  St John's in the City Church, 170 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington The recent review of our animal welfare laws has given us a golden opportunity to become world leaders in animal welfare. So in parliament we've been working very hard for animals, particularly to keep animals safe from cosmetic testing and to see an end to cruel cages for pigs and egg-laying chickens. Join Mojo Mathers MP to learn about what all this means for animals in New Zealand and to find out how you personally can take action to help us make a real difference. It will be an exciting and informative evening. All welcome, please share with your networks! Please RSVP to deirdre [dot] sims [at] parliament [dot] govt [dot] nz, seating is limited. Join the Facebook event! https://www.facebook.com/events/605756232852227/ Attachments wellington-take_action_for_animals_.pdf - 176.12 KB

    • Green school hub policy to benefit Wellington kids
      • The Green Party's school hub proposal will have a significant impact on Wellington with 63 schools and 12,626 kids in the region set to benefit from having dedicated school hub coordinators, onsite school nurses, lunch for hungry kids and free after school and holiday care. Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei announced the Schools at the Heart hubs proposal at the weekend, which establishes community hubs in all decile 1 to 4 schools in New Zealand. "Schools at the Heart is a significant proposal that will tackle the increasingly negative impact of inequality on our kids' education outcomes," said Green Party Wellington-based MP Gareth Hughes. "The recent OECD PISA education report showed why school hubs are needed. It showed that not only has National overseen a fall in our international rankings, but that poorer kids have slipped even further behind. "Our school hubs proposal will ensure that a healthy lunch, health care, social services, early childhood education and out of school sporting and cultural opportunities are available to kids who might otherwise miss out. And it will ensure their families have opportunities to thrive too. "This is about ensuring kids are healthy and ready to learn so they can achieve everything they're capable of achieving. "Schools in Wellington are already the heart of their communities. The additional support our policy offers will take the load off principals and teachers so they can be freed up to do what they do best - teach."

    • Picnic for the Planet 2014
      • When:  Sunday, January 26, 2014 - 11:00am - 3:00pm Where:  Waitangi Park, Wellington Join Metiria and the Green team for Picnic for the Planet 2014. Metiria will give her State of New Zealand speech at 12pm followed by performances by Nelson's own Minuit and special guests. There'll be plenty of food and drink stalls to keep you refreshed, kids entertainment for the little ones and friendly NGO stalls sharing their good green message. Picnic for the Planet is free so bring the family, your mates and enjoy the sun, music and hear about our Green vision for 2014. View Facebook event

    • Eugenie Sage speaking at the Public Symposium on Fresh Water with Sam Mahon and Dr. Mike Joy
      • When:  Saturday, November 30, 2013 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm Where:  135 Victoria St Wellington Trick of the Light Theatre and STAB presents... BROKEN RIVER 23 November - 7 December, 7pm Water is big business - and someone stands to make a killing. For details on our free BROKEN RIVER public forums http://trickofthelighttheatre.tumblr.com/ BATS Theatre Out of Site Tickets from BATS theatre book [at] bats [dot] co [dot] nz

    • Protect Our Beaches Sand Sculpture Event
      • When:  Sunday, November 24, 2013 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm Where:  New Brighton Beach Pier, Christchurch Come and join Gareth Hughes MP and iconic local artist, Peter Donnelly to show the Government that we do not want deep sea oil drilling off Canterbury's coastline. Peter will create a 'protect our beaches' sand sculpture on New Brighton beach from 1pm, speeches will start from 2pm and there will be a group photo at 3pm. This is a great chance to enjoy the beach, see Peter's art in action and find out what you can do to help stop deep sea oil drilling.

    • Wellington book launch of Baba Didi and the Godwits Fly
      • When:  Thursday, October 10, 2013 - 6:00pm - 7:30pm Where:  The Children's Book Shop, Shop 26 Kilbirnie Plaza, Wellington Nickie Muir and Annie Hayward invite you to the Wellington book launch of Baba Didi and the Godwits Fly. A story of resilience and what it takes to get there when the road is rough and the way is long. With a foreword from Head of UN Development Aunty Helen - Unicef benefits from royalties from the sale of each book. Meet the NZ author and the illustrator and share an evening of books, birds and wine in anticipation of UN International Resilient Cities Day. When: October 10th Where: The Children's Book Shop - Shop 26 Kilbirnie Plaza, Kilbirnie Wellington When: 6pm RSVP by 8th October Tel: 04 387 3905 or email: books [at] thechildrensbookshop [dot] co [dot] nz

    • The Kiwi Bid Submission
      • When:  Thursday, September 26, 2013 - 12:30pm - 1:30pm Where:  St Andrews on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington September 26 is the final day oil companies can submit their bids to the Government asking to be able to conduct risky exploratory deep sea oil drilling off parts of New Zealand's coast. We are putting up a competing bid - the Kiwi Bid - which asks the Government to leave these areas free of risky deep sea drilling in order to protect our beaches from a catastrophic oil spill. When the Government is looking through the stack of bids from the oil companies they will find ours, backed by over 10,000 New Zealanders. Come and help Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman, energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes and New Zealand's surfing champion, Mischa Davis, submit the Kiwi Bid on behalf of all New Zealanders who want to protect our precious coastline from deep sea oil drilling. The event will begin with speeches at St Andrews and then we'll walk to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and post our Kiwi Bid in their red letterbox. To RSVP or for more information contact Malcolm Larking, 04 817 6590, malcolm [dot] larking [at] parliament [dot] govt [dot] nz

    • Action for Animals - Animal Welfare Bill Submissions, Wellington Workshop
      • When:  Sunday, September 29, 2013 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm Where:  Sustainability Trust Building, 2 Forresters Lane, Te Aro, Wellington This year we have a critical opportunity to make meaningful change for millions of animals and guarantee them a decent life. The Animal Welfare Act has been reviewed and the new bill is now open for public submissions. Green Party animal welfare spokesperson Mojo Mathers MP is running an interactive workshop on how to make effective submissions on the animal welfare issues that concern you and your organisation. It's vital that people's voices for animals are heard in Parliament and that we make the most of our democratic right to have our say. So let's speak up for the animals! For further information and to RSVP contact deirdre [dot] sims [at] parliament [dot] govt.nz

    • Stand up for the Environment: Wellington panel discussion on the RMA changes
      • When:  Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - 7:30pm - 9:30pm Where:  St Andrews on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington The Government's proposed changes to the Resource Management Act undermine local democracy and sustainability. Please join us for a panel discussion on changes to the RMA and what they mean for local democracy in your community and New Zealand's environment. The panel will consist of: Eugenie Sage, Green Party MP Morrie Love, Te Atiawa/Taranaki Whanau; Raukura Consultants Kevin Hackwell, Forest and Bird Tom Bennion, Bennion Law Tea and coffee will be provided. All are welcome! Pease spread the word!

    • A Smart Green Transport Vision for Wellington
      • When:  Thursday, August 29, 2013 - 6:00pm - 8:30pm Where:  The Sustainability Trust, 2 Forresters Lane, Te Aro, Wellington With the Local Body Elections just around the corner, do you want to know more about the Green candidates' transport vision for Wellington? While the Government is trying to push through uneconomic and unpopular projects like the Flyover and the Kapiti Expressway, the Greens have a transport plan for Wellington that complements its high public transport patronage and compact urban design such as Light Rail. The Green Party supports a high quality public transport solution for Wellington that will reduce carbon emissions and deliver a people-friendly urban environment. Join Julie Anne Genter MP and special guests Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, Ralph Chapman (Victoria University), Paul Young (Generation Zero), James Burgess (Cycle Aware Wellington) Gareth Hughes MP, Paul Bruce, Sue Kedgley, Iona Pannett and more to present a smart, green transport vision for Wellington. For more information contact Malcolm Larking, 0211838952, malcolm [dot] larking [at] greens [dot] org [dot] nz

    • Protect Our Beaches - Stop Deep Sea Oil Drilling Wellington Public Meeting
      • When:  Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm Where:  Sustainability Trust, 2 Forresters Lane, Te Aro, Wellington The National Government has recently announced plans to allow risky deep sea oil drilling of the south coast of Wellington. A leak from a deep sea oil rig would be catastrophic for Wellington's precious marine life and coastline, as well as our economy and reputation. Come and hear Green Party Energy Spokesperson, Gareth Hughes discuss the Government's plans for risky deep sea oil drilling off Wellington's coastline and what you can do to oppose it. Gareth will be joined by special guests Nathan Argent, Greenpeace Political Advisor, Jessie Dennis, Oil Free Wellington and Paul Bruce, Regional Councillor.

    • Protect Our Beaches - Stop Deep Sea Oil Drilling Rongotai Public Meeting
      • When:  Wednesday, August 14, 2013 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm Where:  Maranui Cafe, Lyall Bay, Wellington Related content The Kiwi Bid Stop deep sea oil drilling Environment and Resources e-news The National Government has recently announced plans to allow risky deep sea oil drilling of the south coast of Wellington. A leak from a deep sea oil rig would be catastrophic for Wellington's precious marine life and coastline, as well as our economy and reputation. Come and hear Green Party Energy Spokesperson, Gareth Hughes discuss the Government's plans for risky deep sea oil drilling off Wellington's coastline and what you can do to oppose it. Gareth will be joined by special guests Russel Norman, Greens Co-leader, Nathan Argent, Greenpeace Political Advisor, Jessie Dennis, Oil Free Wellington and Paul Bruce, Regional Councillor.

    • Metiria Turei to the Minister for Economic Development on releasing the advice he has received on the social harms caused by the SkyCity Convention Centre
      • METIRIA TUREI (Co-Leader—Green) to the Minister for Economic Development: When will he release all of the advice he has received on the social harms from the SkyCity deal, given his statement yesterday that it is his "understanding" that only "most" of the advice has been released? Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development) : I said to the member yesterday that I would check again, and I have. On Monday we released most of the material relating to social harm, along with Cabinet papers relating to the agreement and, of course, the regulatory impact statement. As I said to the member yesterday, there is more information relating to the wider agreement that will be released soon. That material includes a number of briefings and correspondence relating to the negotiations themselves. Inevitably, some of that material will include some information about harm reduction, but the main documents in regard to harm minimisation have already been released. Metiria Turei: Has the Minister seen any advice on how many Auckland children will be left alone in the Skycity car-park as a result of increased gambling under the Skycity deal, given that there were seven reports—seven—of children left alone in that car-park last year? Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Well, I have received advice regarding harm minimisation more generally, not on the specific item that the member raises, and that information is contained in the report. It makes it clear that it is not possible to say that as a result of the changes there will necessarily be any increase in some of the social issues the member outlines. METIRIA TUREI: Has the Minister asked for or seen any advice about how many jobs in Auckland will be lost due to Auckland businesses folding from more gambling-related fraud from increased gambling under the Skycity deal? Hon STEVEN JOYCE: No. What I have received advice on in relation to jobs are the 1,000 construction jobs created with the convention centre, and the approximately 800 jobs that will be created for its ongoing operation, which go, of course, with the 3,500 jobs currently held by employees of Skycity. Metiria Turei: Has the Minister read the KPMG fraud survey that shows that gambling remains a major motivator of fraud, with high individual losses, and has he sought advice on the economic cost of fraud from increased gambling under the Skycity deal? Hon STEVEN JOYCE: I have not seen the particular report that the member outlines. I am sure she could dig out some other reports if she wished to. What I have been through though, in some detail, is a regulatory impact statement that lays out the potential risks, and also lays out the benefits of this arrangement. I can inform the member again—and the House will get the opportunity to vote on this, this afternoon—that it is the Government's view that the balance is in favour of proceeding with this arrangement. Metiria Turei: Has the Minister sought advice on how much money Auckland charities can expect to have stolen as a result of gambling-related theft arising from the Skycity deal, given that more than 50 percent of stolen charity funds are stolen to fuel problem gambling, and how many jobs in those charities are expected to be lost as a result of that theft? Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Well, with the greatest respect to the member, we could go through every possible social harm in Auckland, but again, I would point out to the member that there is no guarantee that they would increase under this arrangement, because the reality is that the marginal increase in pokie machines by Skycity in this arrangement is more than offset by the decline of pokie machines across the rest of Auckland and the country. Metiria Turei: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. My question was very specific, and was as to whether the Minister has sought advice on the issue of theft from charities— Mr SPEAKER: Order! I certainly heard the question. I thought the Minister made a reasonable attempt, but if he could just clarify whether he has sought any specific advice on that specific issue of Auckland charities having money stolen from them, then that would presumably be of satisfaction to the member. Hon STEVEN JOYCE: No; and I can probably answer the same answer for a number of her further supplementary questions. Metiria Turei: Why did the KordaMentha report into the Skycity deal omit to factor in the increased risk of business fraud and increased theft from charities and the subsequent job losses, and can we take it, then, that the report does not provide an accurate assessment of the actual costs or benefits of the Skycity deal? Hon STEVEN JOYCE: The member constantly—and, I can only think, deliberately—seeks to misrepresent the position of the KordaMentha report. The KordaMentha report was designed to balance the economic benefits to Skycity versus the economic benefits to the Crown to check that there was fairness in terms of the allocation. It was not designed to assess the social harm risks. That has been adequately dealt with, as I said, in the regulatory impact statement. Again, it is by no means clear at all that a marginal increase in machines in one casino will increase gambling harm, especially when the total number of machines across Auckland and across New Zealand continues to decline. Metiria Turei: Given that the Minister has no idea how much money will be stolen, how many businesses will fold, or how many jobs will be lost from the increase in gambling-related crime under the Skycity deal, can we take it, then, that his job numbers are at best, inaccurate and at worst just made up? Hon STEVEN JOYCE: No. I can tell the member what I do have no idea about, and that is why it is that the Greens are so vociferously opposed to this deal when they were so silent about the deal that occurred under the previous Labour Government. I can conclude only that it is politics and it is not principle. Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister has no responsibility for the Greens' policy, he has no responsibility for the previous Labour Government, and he has no responsibility for the decisions of Judith Collins before she was a Minister. Mr SPEAKER: Order! And I do not think that in any way the Minister, through his answer, accepted responsibility for the Green Party, the former Labour Government, or decisions by Judith Collins. He simply responded to a question that was relatively political, and he responded politically back again. When will he release all of the advice he has received on the social harms from the SkyCity deal, given his statement yesterday that it is his "understanding" that only "most" of the advice has been released?

    • Petone Beach post-storm clean up
      • When:  Sunday, July 7, 2013 - 9:30am - 11:30am Where:  Petone Beach - meet at either Petone Wharf or the Iona Cross on the beach, at Esplanade/Cuba St intersection Join Friends of Petone beach, and local leaders in a good ole fashioned 'Be a Tidy Kiwi' event to help clean all the storm rubbish off Petone Beach. Bring gloves, solid footwear and appropriate clothing - Hutt City Council are providing rubbish bags. Prizes for the most rubbish collected and most interesting piece of rubbish found. Free hot drinks to warm the cockles of your heart. Choice of two meeting points: 1. Petone Wharf or 2. The Iona Cross on the beach at Esplanade/Cuba Street intersection Sunday 7 July (this Sunday), 9.30am - 11.30am. Really bad weather? We will cancel!

    • Affordable Housing, Affordable Power - a public meeting to share the Green Party's plans to bring down the cost of living
      • When:  Monday, July 22, 2013 - 7:30pm - 9:00pm Where:  Hutt Valley Tramping Club, Birch St Reserve, Waterloo, Lower Hutt (opposite Waterloo train station) Related content Home for life – Metiria Turei’s speech at Ratana NZ Power: How it works Wellington MPs Holly Walker and Gareth Hughes are holding a public meeting to share the Green Party's plans to bring the cost of living down, through affordable housing and affordable power policies. Come along to be part of the dicussion and solution.

    • Public Meeting: Changes to the RMA and fresh water policy, with Marama Davidson, Eugenie Sage and others - Greytown
      • When:  Thursday, June 27, 2013 - 7:30pm - 9:30pm Where:  Papawai Marae, Greytown Public meeting and panel discussion in Greytown on Thursday 27th June. When: Thursday 27th June, 7.30 - 9.30pm Where: Papawai Marae, Greytown, Wairarapa (Click for map) The Government's proposed changes to the Resource Management Act undermine local democracy and sustainability. Please join us for a panel discussion on changes to the RMA and what they mean for local democracy in your community and New Zealand's environment. The panel will consist of: Marama Davidson, Green candidate Ikaroa-Rawhiti (chair) Eugenie Sage, Green Party MP Claire Browning, Forest & Bird Conservation Advocate Rawiri Smith, Environment Manager for Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Chris Petersen, Masterton District Councillor All are welcome! Please share through your networks.

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