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March 16, 2026
#Politics: Greens highlight Māori leadership while raising concerns over fuel costs, crime laws and housing
Dale Husband
Posted On March 16, 2026
Download AudioThe Green Party says a strong lineup of Māori candidates and leaders will be central to its campaign as the country moves toward the next election, with the party positioning Māori voices at the forefront of policy debates on housing, economic fairness and environmental protection.
Co-leader Marama Davidson says Māori representation within the party reflects a broader commitment to ensuring Māori perspectives shape decisions about the future of Aotearoa. The Greens say Māori leadership within their ranks is helping drive policy development across a range of areas including housing affordability, climate response and social wellbeing.
The party is also responding to the growing economic ripple effects of escalating tensions in the Middle East, with global energy markets reacting to the recent attack on Iran. In New Zealand, the impact is already being felt through rising petrol prices, with concerns that households and businesses could face further cost pressures if global fuel supply chains are disrupted.
The Greens say the situation highlights the vulnerability of Aotearoa’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. The party argues that long-term energy security will require greater investment in renewable energy, electrification of transport and improved public transport systems. Reducing reliance on imported oil is seen by the party as essential not only for climate goals but also for protecting households from volatile global fuel prices.
Alongside energy concerns, the Greens are raising questions about proposed changes in the Crimes Amendment Bill, particularly provisions expanding citizens’ arrest powers and the defence of property. The party has expressed concern that broadening these powers could create risks for public safety and increase the potential for confrontations between members of the public.
The Greens say any changes to criminal law must prioritise safety and fairness while avoiding unintended consequences that could disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. They argue that stronger investment in prevention, social services and community support would be more effective in addressing crime than expanding powers for individuals to detain others.
Housing affordability remains another key issue for the party, particularly for Māori who continue to face significant barriers to home ownership. Rising house prices, limited access to finance and structural inequities in the housing market have contributed to lower ownership rates among Māori compared with the general population.
The Greens say addressing this gap will require a combination of policy changes including large-scale investment in public and community housing, support for Māori housing initiatives and reforms that make it easier for whānau to build on ancestral land. Expanding pathways into home ownership is seen by the party as a critical step toward reducing long-standing inequalities.
The party maintains that improving housing outcomes for Māori will require coordinated action across government, iwi organisations and community providers to ensure housing policies reflect the realities facing whānau across the country.
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