With fewer than 100 days until New Zealanders head to the polls, Green Party Communities and Social Development spokesperson Teanau Tuiono says the election presents a choice about the kind of country Aotearoa wants to become, calling for greater transparency, stronger social protections and a more inclusive society.
Speaking to Radio Waatea, Tuiono outlined the Greens’ priorities for communities, social development and workers’ rights, while also responding to recent political controversies surrounding race, immigration and workplace reform.
The comments come as the election campaign becomes increasingly focused on issues of equity, cost of living, employment protections and social cohesion.
Tuiono also weighed in on one of the week’s biggest political flashpoints after Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan to “go back to your own country” during a heated parliamentary exchange.
The remarks prompted a formal diplomatic protest from the Chinese Embassy and widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum.
Tuiono described the comments as unacceptable and said political debate should never descend into questioning a person’s right to belong in New Zealand because of their ethnicity or background.
He said Aotearoa is strengthened by its diversity and that every New Zealander deserves to participate in democracy free from racism and discrimination.
The controversy has reignited debate about race, immigration and political discourse as parties seek to define their values ahead of the election.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon subsequently publicly rebuked Winston Peters over the remarks, exposing tensions within the governing coalition as campaigning intensifies.
Employment law has also become a major point of difference between the Government and the Opposition following Parliament’s passage of the new Employment Leave Act.
The Government says the legislation modernises an outdated Holidays Act and creates a simpler, fairer system for both employers and employees.
The Greens disagree.
Tuiono said the reforms risk weakening employment protections, particularly for workers in insecure, casual and part-time employment, who already experience greater financial uncertainty.
He argued that employment rights are fundamental to reducing inequality and ensuring people have dignity and security in the workplace.
The Greens have joined unions in expressing concern that changes to leave calculations could leave some workers financially worse off despite Government assurances that the reforms improve clarity and consistency.
As Communities and Social Development spokesperson, Tuiono said investment in communities should extend beyond traditional welfare settings and include housing, youth development, disability support, community organisations and stronger local services.
He said resilient communities are built through long-term investment rather than short-term political cycles, arguing that prevention and early intervention ultimately produce better outcomes than crisis responses.
The Greens continue to advocate for expanded public housing, action on child poverty, improved mental health services and greater investment in community-led initiatives.
Tuiono said many of New Zealand’s most pressing social challenges disproportionately affect Māori and Pasifika communities, making equity a central consideration in policy development.
Looking ahead to the election, Tuiono said voters are increasingly seeking honesty, transparency and leadership focused on improving people’s daily lives rather than political point-scoring.
He said the Greens’ vision centres on reducing inequality, strengthening democratic participation and ensuring economic prosperity is shared more fairly across society.
With workplace rights, race relations, housing affordability, healthcare and the cost of living all expected to dominate the campaign, Tuiono believes New Zealanders face a significant choice about the country’s future direction.
As the countdown to polling day continues, the contest over fairness, inclusion and economic opportunity is shaping up to become one of the defining themes of the 2026 General Election.
#Tags
#TeanauTuiono #GreenParty #Election2026 #NZPolitics #Communities #SocialDevelopment #WorkersRights #EmploymentLeaveAct #HolidaysAct #LawrenceXuNan #WinstonPeters #ChristopherLuxon #Inclusion #Equity #Māori #Pasifika #Housing #ChildPoverty #Democracy #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews
