A Vote for the Maori Party is a Vote for Papatuanuku

The Maori Party is thrilled to receive an 87% rating from ‘Vote for the Environment’ supported by Greenpeace and ECO.

“The Maori Party is absolutely committed to taking the
measures necessary to ensure the wellbeing and future good
health of the environment” said Angeline Greensill,
Environment spokesperson for the Maori Party.

“For over 1000 years whanau, and hapu have been the
custodians over the lands, mountains, waterways, and air
space within each tribal area” said Greensill “so we
were not at all surprised that we have scored well on
environmental leadership, and in fact scored the best of any
party on cleaning up New Zealand’s waterways”.

“The joint media statement expressed surprise at our
result, because we voted against 'environmental legislation'
(Emissions Trading Scheme). Of course we opposed the ETS
because it is ineffective, and because polluters are
subsidised while householders and small businesses pay the
price. We want an Emissions Reduction Programme, not an
Emissions Trading Scheme" said Greensill.

“What has surprised us however, is the dismal result that
both major parties scored – with Labour receiving a 45%
grading and National 27%” said Greensill.

“How either of these parties can profess to having
national leadership ambitions when their environmental
commitments appear so weak is obviously a worry” said
Greensill.

“We note the conclusion from the Joint Media Statement
that the main parties will need to have our influence,
alongside that of the Greens, if they are to make real
progress” said Mrs Greensill.

“As custodians tangata whenua have looked after the
environment to the best of their ability so all can
benefit” said Mrs Greensill. “We are duty bound in
respect of our commitment to a Treaty-based relationship to
continue to reflect the leadership that whanau, hapu and iwi
have shown in caring for the environment if the current
generations are to survive into the next century”.

Extracts from 2008 Maori Party Environmental Policy

We are concerned about the impact our use of our natural
resources is having on land and water, as well as the air.

We promote the regeneration and revitalisation of freshwater
marine life, protection of flora and fauna, utilisation of
better wetlands; and in the case of lakes and lagoons,
restore raupo, nourish beaches and sand dunes.

We will protect natural values and care for streams, lakes,
rivers and waterways from agricultural, industrial and
domestic waste. We must protect our land from the
production, release and disposal of toxic and hazardous
waste and promote freedom from ecological destruction.

Issues around water must include the mana whenua, including
water rights and privatisation. Treaty claims to water
ownership and interests in fresh water must be resolved in
the review of the Resource Management Act

• Improved public transport which results in reduced
emissions. We also support the development of sustainable
building practices and the use of emission-free vehicles.

• Request the Parliamentary Commissioner for the
Environment to urgently convene cross-party discussions to
assess the impact of peak-oil production on Aotearoa.

• Moratorium on 1080 drops.

• Mitigate the impact of emissions pricing on low and
modest income consumers by developing options for affordable
and sustainable energy services for householders

• We promote the appropriate development of renewable
energy resources, including geothermal and hydro, wave, wind
and solar, in order to protect and preserve limited
resources such as oil, gas and coal.

• We support the Department of Conservation in working
with local hapu and iwi to transfer the kaitiakitanga role
back to tangata whenua.