What has been proposed will mean the progressive destruction of the remaining beauty of Auckland Harbour for all future generations. There will be no going back. It is unthinkable that we continue to "pave paradise and put up a parking lot"!

Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world, but the country has been making progress towards increasing human rights adherence and democracy - for example, in 2005 the decades-long Civil War ended with a diplomatic agreement between the Communist Party and the monarchy, and in 2008 the monarchy was abolished, the Haliya system of enforced labour was outlawed, and a multiparty representative democracy established. Unless Nepal receives fast, effective and unconditional aid, the effects of the earthquake will likely reverse the progress towards a happier and more equitable society that's been made so far there, will almost certainly increase poverty and inequality. An article in the Bloomberg Times today reported that Nepal's economy is "set for freefall without global help": The problem of bad infrastructure and poor logistics is now coming home to roost,” [RajirishI Singhal] said. “You’re looking at lower incomes, lower revenue, high inflation, loss of imports. It’s going to be a terrible year for them.” Additionally, 10% of Nepal's power generation capacity was knocked out by a large landslide last year. As of four hours ago, Nepal has received 3.3million US$ from China, US$210,000 from Japan, US$100,000 from Singapore, 5 million pounds from the UK, $5 million Canadian dollars, $1 million from the US, AU$5 million, 3 million Euros from the EU, and 1 million from NZ. This might seem like a lot, but to help Canterbury's 560,700 residents, NZ received around $7.5 million of foreign aid immediately after the Christchurch Earthquake. 28 million people live in Nepal. Over 3300 are dead so far by the earthquake and over 6000 are injured or missing. UNICEF claims that around 1 million children are "severely affected" by the earthquake. In May 2011 Gerry Brownlee was announced that the government aimed to spend about $8.8 billion "over the next few years" to rebuild Canterbury, and $25.5 million in funding was allocated to CERA. (http://cera.govt.nz/news/budget-funds-new-earthquake-recovery-authority-19-may-2011). Nonetheless ANZ chief economist Cameron Bagrie claimed in 2013 that the NZ economy could take 50 to 100 years to fully recover from the economic effects of the earthquake and especially raised insurance premimums. (http://www.3news.co.nz/business/investing-in-christchurch-doesnt-stack-up-2013043009) NZ can EASILY do more to help Nepal respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, and to rebuild in the coming months and years. (Photo from the NZ Nepal Society website).

Some 20,000 people have been diagnosed with hepatitis C in New Zealand, while a further 30,000 have the virus and don’t even know it yet. New drugs have the ability to eliminate hep C and, most importantly, save lives. The New Zealand Government needs to acknowledge the long term cost and health benefits of curing hep C and provide sufferers with affordable access to the drugs through Pharmac. New Zealanders in immediate need of the new drugs have serious conditions associated with their hepatitis C infection. These include: · Liver cancer · Cirrhosis of the liver · Post and pre-liver transplants · Patients who do not respond to, or tolerate, currently subsidised treatments The cure, made up of combinations of sofosbuvir, daclatasvir, ribavirin and ledipasvir, is being used successfully to treat all hep C genotypes. It has a 95% success rate and does not come with the debilitating side effects related to other treatments. About two thirds of people living with hep C don’t even know they have the virus, and many will need future access to the new treatments. Crown-owned agency Pharmac has the unenviable task of deciding which medicines are subsidised for use in the community and public hospitals. It has a rigorous system in place for making these decisions, and is restricted by the cost of certain medications. But, as it stands, New Zealanders have to pay about NZ$96,000 for a 12 week course of the new treatment. That’s around $1100 a pill! The New Zealand government must step in to help Pharmac ensure the drugs are not out of the reach of our most vulnerable hepatitis C patients.

Having free tampons and pads provided in schools will be incredibly useful and helpful for young women. If the government provides these essential items girls who get their period whilst at school when they're unprepared will feel much less awkward and uncomfortable. They will be able to focus more during class instead of worrying about how uncomfortable it is to have to stuff toilet paper in their underwear.

The health and safety of families exposed to this cancer causing toxin are at risk. We do not need to use it when organic alternatives are available.

New Zealanders are concerned about protecting our natural environment, no matter what our political stripe. Following the 2017 election, it is critical that The Green Party enter into serious negotiations with *all* potential coalition partners to add a voice for the environment to whatever government forms. This includes National. We recognise that Green Party social and economic policies differ significantly from National, but ask that the Green Party negotiate with National on environmental matters where agreement is clearly possible. Green Voters: Please sign this petition if you are an existing Green supporter or voter that wants the party to prioritise the opportunity to make a positive, lasting difference for the environment over other policies. Please sign if you will support the party through this, knowing that sometimes it's not possible to meet all policy objectives at the same time. Non-Green Voters: Please sign this petition if you would vote for a Green Party that shows it can work with governments of all stripes to achieve positive environmental outcomes. Everyone: Please sign this petition whether you want the Green Party to move permanently to the centre or simply to give a Green / National coalition a one-time shot. Our message is that political parties do not exist merely to perpetuate themselves but sometimes have to put everything on the line to make a critical difference. The Green Party received 126,995 votes (pending specials) - let's beat that!

Greater Wellington Regional Council plans to axe Wellingtons trolley buses and replace them with hybrid diesel-electric buses from 2017. To some, this sounds like a 'step' in the right direction but, as one great business thought-leader famously stated, "When a GIANT LEAP is indicated, a hop, STEP and a jump just will not do. You cannot cross the Grand Canyon this way." The switch from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources is not a step change. Some people say that trolley buses are old fashioned technology. Oh really? Perhaps someone better inform the Saudis. In 2012, they INTRODUCED modern and highly efficient trolley buses; and this is in a place that we might reasonably call the very HOME of fossil fuels: Saudi Arabia. Hmm. What do they know that they're not sharing? Gosh! It seems that modern trolley buses are all the rage, and all Wellington has to do is modernise! That's got to be smarter - and cheaper - than taking a 'hybrid step' when a giant electric leap is required. In Shanghai, dual-engined diesel/electric hybrid buses have been tested and DITCHED, in favour of...wait for it...trolley buses! Smart people those MODERN Chinese! http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=67413 Modern trolley buses are quiet, efficient and emission free. Diesels are dirty, noisy and unsustainable. Hybrids require costly DOUBLE MAINTENANCE because they have TWO engines! Duh! They're not the solution. They're a new PROBLEM. Not only that, the proposed introduction of hybrids would require a whole new maintenance infrastructure. Eventually battery technology will allow us to introduce dependable 100% electric buses but that technology isn't yet available, and isn't likely to be for the next two decades. So let's modernise our iconic trolley buses, increase and commit to properly maintaining the fleet, phase out dirty diesels and encourage the development of buses powered 100% by rechargeable batteries. In time, we can switch to a fully electric bus fleet without the huge costs & infrastructure involved in maintaining double-engined hybrids.

1. Plastic comes from fossil fuels which need to be left in the ground. 2. Plastic never ever degrades and becomes a permanent blight in our natural environment, particularly our waterways and oceans. Plastic is destroying our aquatic ecosystems. We've lived without plastic products before, and we can live quite happily without them again.

Desexing is very important & kind for companion animal's welfare & safety. New Zealand has a high rate of animal abuse & we need to be seen as a leader on companion animal care. To show other countries that we care. Some backyard & casual breeders have animals living in disgusting conditions & with terrible health conditions. And we see pups/kittens suffering with bad health effects continuosly. (Ref:NZherald) Animal "Hoarding" is a collection of animals where the person enables the situation & has not the mentality to realize OR the financial funds to continue with the ongoing care & welfare. Very important that this is addressed as part of the problem. http://www.spcaauckland.org.nz/…/repeat-animal-abuser-disq…/ http://www.spcaauckland.org.nz/what-we-do/the-5-freedoms/ People buy pups from pet shops that are cute, then a few months later they are deformed or have other medical conditions. Due to no consideration of the animals welfare & only to make a profit. Also many pet shops are selling animals with no desexing stipulations .They should be vacinated, micro -chipped, & desexed. spcahttp://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201831523/spcalls-for-ban-on-selling-non-desexed-cats NZ's cats & dogs are having litters after litters, year after year. We have starving neglected dogs, council shelters/pounds full of dogs picked up roaming, dogs chained in backyards everywhere hidden from public view with no stimulation & animal abusers that do horrific things to animals.This is important as an animal is to be free from distress. (Refer Animal Welfare Act.1999) Example of neglect. Was this man capable to have an animal in his care? http://www.spcaauckland.org.nz/about-us/news-and-updates/auckland-man-found-guilty-in-animal-abuse-case-after-dog-found-in-skeletal-condition/ Was this woman capable? When SPCA Inspector Peggy found Olive, she was so severely emaciated it was hard to believe she was still alive. The 8-month-old puppy was tied up on a short chain, her tiny frame hunched over in pain. Inspector Peggy brought her to the SPCA Auckland Animal Hospital for the immediate veterinary treatment she desperately needed. Olive weighed just 10kg and our vets said she was suffering extreme malnutrition. Her claws were so overgrown they curled up under her feet and her skin was covered in mange and open pressure sores. Our Inspectorate team worked hard to seek justice for Olive through the courts. Her owner Cerise Harris was found guilty of wilful ill-treatment of an animal and was sentenced to 120 hours of community service and disqualified from owning animals for 10 years. Fortunately Olive made a full recovery and was adopted by her foster mum Sally. Thanks to our SPCA supporters, Olive now has the life she deserves. Animals suffer from being bred continuosly & the person responsible does not consider the consequences further down the line when puppies or kittens need to be rehomed, or they don't wont them. Some of these animals are left abandoned to fend for themselves, 'dumped'! Tiny babies in rubbish bins, under buildings, in bushes & in boxes left outside SPCA's.Dead Kittens left on public footpaths.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=11792596 Tiny babies dumped to die.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11787609&ref=NZH_fb spcahttp://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201831523/spcalls-for-ban-on-selling-non-desexed-cats Some dogs are stolen (deliberately stolen) that are not desexed & are used to make a profit from breeding, with no care whats so-ever taken on the welfare of the pups. People buy & sell animals off the internet with no conditions/follow up on desexing. An issue that should also be debated. SPCA's & Rescue groups are inundated with 1000's of unwanted litters, especially in seasonal times. They do a wonderful job with desexing-M/C- fostering & rehoming. Some shelters/pounds (alot) have animals that will never come out. (ref:Euthanasia Rates) "In 2016, 8,372 dogs were impounded in Auckland's animal shelters. Most were reclaimed by their owners and 644 were adopted, but 3,059 dogs that were not suitable for rehoming because they were too sick or injured, failed a temperament test, were a menacing dog breed, or were simply too dangerous had to be euthanized. The stats speak a similar story further south. In Tauranga during the 2015/16 year, 960 dogs were impounded, 764 were returned to their owners, 62 were adopted by new families, and 134 were euthanized." (quote Cathy Casey) "We simply have too many dogs in New Zealand," says Auckland councillor Cathy Casey. "Buying puppies from pet shops encourages more breeding that we just don't need. It doesn't help the cause when dog owners don't desex their dogs either, often resulting in thousands of unwanted puppies." They did not ask for this & are born to die! Too SAD & very unfair! SPCA List of Shame shines spotlight on animal cruelty www.spcaauckland.org.nz/.../spca-list-of-shame-shines-spotlight-on-animal- cruelty An animal should have a right to have a happy life free from abandonment, neglicence & cruelty. People need to be seriously responsable when caring for animals & to prove they have a consciense. Many animals do not have the 5 freedoms, they suffer instead. http://www.spcaauckland.org.nz/what-we-do/the-5-freedoms/ Australia's desexing laws, that are in some states, are seeing a dramatic reduction in unwanted animals. (Ref:Australia Animal Welfare Act.) Animal lovers are outraged about the hearbreaking treatment & disrespect for animals. We want you to take this very seriously & consider the change we would see in the future of companion animals due to a mandatory desexing legalistlation. Thankyou. From the signatory's below.

ECO AG IS A PROBLEM BLAH BLAH BLAH

Plastic bags do not break down, they fill up our landfill and end up in our water ways contributing to a global issue of pollution that is killing our marine life. Up until late last year we had plastic bag recycling in the Rotorua district and the removal of this service is a huge step backwards for our community and the clean green image that New Zealand presents to the world. Other district councils support the recycling of plastic bags and our council needs to resolve this serious problem.

The fact is, as plastic weathers it breaks down and is easily mistaken for food by fish. A document produced by the Seafood Industry Council and Maritime New Zealand states that in parts of the world "fish are becoming seriously contaminated by plastic pollution". Plastic ingestion also kills turtles and seabirds. It's time New Zealand played its part in curbing the scourge.