Our candidates share a vision for a thriving, greener Auckland.

 

Housing, Land and Urban Form

Green Party Candidates for Auckland Council believe that housing is a fundamental right and council has a clear role in providing long term affordable and sustainable housing for Aucklanders. The Green Party stands in strong solidarity with the protectors at Ihumātao.

  1. We will continue Council’s work to end homelessness and support the housing first policy.
  2.  We will work with Government to ensure urban development is resilient, sustainable and minimises car use by increasing opportunities for active modes and public transport- this includes stopping urban sprawl developments such as those impacting Ihumātao and Okura.
  3. We will seek to expand council’s strategic land ownership and to use this as leverage in requiring long term, retained affordable and sustainable housing for Aucklanders.

 

Trees and Conservation 

Green Party Candidates for Auckland Council believe that protecting and enhancing tree cover is an important part of building healthy, happy, prosperous communities.

  1. We will support the development and implementation of the Urban Forest Strategy to identify, preserve, and enhance tree canopy across the urban parts of the city.
  2. We will improve support for volunteer projects undertake restoration projects in ecologically significant public places, and across significant landscape areas such as the North West Wildlink.
  3. We will work with Government and within the Unitary Plan to enhance protection of significant trees and forests on both public and private property. We will continue to lead on the issue of Kauri Dieback.

 

Cost of Living, Inequality and Rates 

Green Party Candidates for Auckland Council believe that council needs to create a fairer, more equal city through a strongly progressive rating system and reducing the cost of living in Auckland. 

  1. We will support a rebalancing of the rating system to increase rates for speculators and polluters, while providing increased access to rates relief for those most in need. 
  2. We will direct Auckland Transport to reduce fares and investigate making Public Transport free to reduce the cost of living for Aucklanders. 
  3. We will identify opportunities to increase access to affordable housing and affordable fresh food to reduce the cost of living for Aucklanders.

 

Food 

Green Party candidates for Auckland Council believe that the food we eat should be produced in ways that are ethical, ecologically sustainable and ensure access to sufficient, safe, nutritious and affordable food for everyone.

  1. We will support the maintenance and development of food production areas spread throughout the Auckland region.
  2. We will encourage people to buy locally by funding local markets and ensuring access to retail for growers in Auckland.
  3. We will reinforce standards of ethical treatment for animals and improve the way in which food is produced to ensure sustainability.

 

Climate Action

Green Party candidates for Auckland Council recognise the challenge of mitigating and adapting to climate change and commit to ensuring Auckland acts consistent with a peak of 1.5 ℃ of warming.

  1. We will develop a climate action plan for the Auckland region consistent with the goal of 1.5 ℃ of warming and act to implement this plan at all levels within Auckland’s local government.
  2. We will identify the climate change implications of all significant decisions by the decision-making bodies within Council, and vote in accordance with adhering to the goal above.
  3. We will encourage the development of assistance for those affected by climate change and support a just transition within the Auckland region.

 

Clean Beaches and Harbours 

Green Party Candidates for Auckland Council believe that our harbours and beaches should be valued for their recreation amenity and beauty, rather than a place to send runoff from development.

  1. We will continue to invest in better storm water and waste water management to improve the quality of water entering the harbour
  2. We will work on stronger regulations for developers and industry to ensure the best practices are used to prevent sediment runoff.
  3. We will invest in waste and maintenance that works, to discourage litter washing through our storm water system.

 

Urban Transport

Green Party Candidates for Auckland Council believe that Aucklanders of all ages and abilities need to have access to safe, reliable, affordable and convenient transport options. 

  1. We will direct Auckland Transport to reduce fares and investigate making Public Transport free to reduce the cost of living for Aucklanders. 
  2. We will work with Government to reallocate the designations over local streets to local boards to ensure communities are in control over safe speeds in their areas. 
  3. We’re committed to building the Congestion Free Network for Auckland.
  • Finish the City Rail Link quickly
  • Build light rail from the city, through Mt Roskill, Māngere, and to the airport
  • Build light rail to the North Shore and towards North West Auckland and dedicated rapid busways to Howick and Botany

 

Mana Whenua and Te Tiriti 

Green Party candidates for Auckland Council recognise Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of the nation and commit to acting in a way consistent with its principles and the principles of Treaty partnership.

  1. All efforts will be made to engage Tangata Whenua regardless of association and candidates will rely upon these relationships to act in accordance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
  2. Current bodies within Auckland Council (such as the Independent Māori Statutory Board) will be meaningfully consulted when the decision being made is of significant effect.
  3. We will work to improve the decision making processes within Auckland Council with the aim of co-governance across Auckland, consistent with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

 

Refugee and Welcome Policy 

Green Party candidates for Auckland Council aim to make Auckland Council a welcoming place for all new comers.

  1. We will support social service providers, through service contracts and grants, which provide support to refugees and migrants.
  2.  We will endeavour to deliver council services and consultation, as multi lingual and in easy English.
  3. We will endeavour to recognise and participate in the cultural celebrations of the multitude of cultures that live here. We will deliver events that provide all Aucklanders with an introduction to tikanga maori and kiwi culture.

 

Parks, Open Space and Greenways 

Green Party Candidates for Auckland Council believe that a compact city needs plenty of well-developed open space to provide people with the opportunity for connection and recreation.

  1.  We will invest in gap analysis to ensure we have a sufficient and equitable provision of open space and play equipment.
  2.  We will aim to meet community demand for playing fields for team sports without resorting to pay to play funding.
  3.  We develop and implement Greenways plans to provide shared paths, walking paths, and tracks through open space for active transport and recreation purposes.

 

Community Safety

Green Party Candidates for Auckland Council believe that residents of Auckland need to feel safe in their neighbourhoods and as they go to work and play.

  1. We will continue councils work to make town centres safe by improving lighting, security and creating open spaces.
  2. We will advocate for council to ensure footpaths are safe for all users. There needs to be as much emphasis on keeping footpaths maintained as there is on roads. When residents report footpath issues they need to be dealt with rather than logged and ignored. 
  3. We will ensure that parks and beaches are safe for users through increased lighting, monitoring and protection.

 

Waste Management

Green Party Candidates for Auckland Council have a goal of achieving a waste free Auckland, which we believe is essential to the well-being of people and the integrity and sustainability of the biosphere. 

  1. We will investigate a packaging levy on non-biodegradable and non-recyclable packaging.
  2. We will set a timetable for the transition to mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), whereby manufacturers and/or importers take responsibility for the entire life-cycle of the products and packaging they create.
  3. We will promote innovation in waste and water management with increased emphasis on conservation and small scale local solutions.

 

Auckland Council Supercity and Local Electoral Reform

Green Party Candidates for Auckland Council believe that Auckland has a substantial ‘democratic deficit’ where too many important council decisions are made without appropriate democratic oversight.

  1. We will work with Government to reform the Auckland Supercity Structure to ensure Mana Whenua Representation, stronger local board representation and clearer oversight of Council Controlled Organisations 
  2. We will work with Government to reform the Local Electoral system so that every vote counts through a Single Transferable Vote System with Proportional Representation
  3. We will seek to end the ‘part time’ remuneration status of Local Board members to remove a significant barrier to entry in running for public office in Auckland

 

For more, read the Green Party's full policy here.