Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono says proposed changes to workplace health and safety laws and conservation legislation risk weakening protections that New Zealanders fought hard to secure following major national tragedies.
As the Green Party spokesperson for public services and workplace relations, Tuiono is expected to challenge the Government’s proposed Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill, arguing that any reforms must preserve the protections introduced after the Pike River Mine disaster.
The Government says the proposed changes are intended to simplify health and safety requirements, particularly for small and low-risk businesses, by reducing unnecessary compliance while maintaining strong protections for workers.
However, critics argue the reforms could undermine lessons learned from Pike River by reducing employer responsibilities and weakening the culture of workplace safety established under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Tuiono is expected to argue that improving productivity should never come at the expense of worker safety, and that robust health and safety laws remain essential to preventing future workplace deaths and serious injuries.
The Green Party also remains strongly opposed to changes proposed in the Conservation Amendment Bill, often referred to as the “Bits and Bobs” Bill.
Although the Government has recently removed controversial provisions allowing the disposal or exchange of public conservation land following widespread public opposition, the Greens say other aspects of the legislation still place greater emphasis on economic considerations in the management of public conservation land.
The party argues the Department of Conservation’s primary responsibility should remain the protection of biodiversity, native species and ecosystems, rather than facilitating commercial opportunities.
The Greens are also seeking stronger safeguards to ensure conservation land cannot be disposed of without rigorous public scrutiny, robust environmental assessments and meaningful engagement with mana whenua.
The debate comes amid wider concerns about balancing economic development with environmental protection, as the Government pursues policies aimed at accelerating infrastructure, mining and resource development across New Zealand.
The Green Party says workplace safety and environmental protection should remain fundamental responsibilities of government and should not be weakened in pursuit of economic growth.
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