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March 27, 2026
#national: Greens MP Teanau Tuiono calls for structural change across housing, energy and fisheries
Waatea Team
Posted On March 27, 2026
Download AudioGreen Party MP Teanau Tuiono says meaningful change across housing, energy and environmental systems will require bold political will, warning that current settings continue to leave many whānau struggling.
Tuiono, a long-time advocate for social justice and Māori and Pasifika communities, says the Greens’ housing policy A Home for Everybody sets out a clear pathway to ending homelessness and improving renters’ rights. However, he believes the biggest barrier to achieving that vision under the current Government is a lack of commitment to large-scale structural reform. He points to resistance around stronger state intervention in the housing market, including building more public homes and implementing stricter protections for renters.
In response to the Government’s crisis-relief package, Tuiono acknowledges that some measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures are a step in the right direction. However, he says the overall approach falls short of addressing the root causes of hardship. He argues that without deeper investment in income support, housing affordability and essential services, many low-income families will continue to face ongoing financial stress.
Energy costs remain another key concern, with Tuiono questioning whether the current electricity market is delivering fair outcomes. He says stronger public control could help stabilise prices, but warns that broader structural reform is needed to ensure the system prioritises households over profit. For vulnerable communities, he says high power bills are not just an inconvenience but a barrier to basic wellbeing.
The recent controversy involving undersized fish being processed has also raised serious questions about oversight in the fisheries sector. Tuiono says the situation points to systemic failures in monitoring and enforcement, and highlights the need for stronger safeguards to protect both the sustainability of fisheries and public confidence in the system. He believes restoring trust will require greater transparency and accountability across the industry.
On foreign policy, Tuiono has also weighed in on recent comments by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters regarding the Cook Islands. He says the remarks raise important questions about Aotearoa’s role and responsibilities within the Pacific, particularly in maintaining respectful and cooperative relationships. Tuiono emphasises the importance of recognising the sovereignty and aspirations of Pacific nations, while strengthening partnerships based on mutual respect and shared interests.
He says the common thread across these issues is the need for long-term thinking and policies that centre people, communities and the environment, rather than short-term political considerations.
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