Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson joins Waatea as a turbulent week at Parliament puts homelessness, conservation, the use of urgency and the future of te reo Māori firmly in the political spotlight.
The Government’s Move-on Orders legislation has passed its third reading, giving Police new powers aimed at dealing with low-level disorderly behaviour in public places. The Government says the measures will improve public safety and help prevent disorder from escalating, while opponents have raised concerns about the potential impact on homeless and vulnerable people.
The speed of lawmaking is also under scrutiny after Parliament dealt with a series of Government bills during extended sittings and urgency, adding to debate over how much time MPs and the public are being given to scrutinise significant legislative changes.
Meanwhile, Davidson joined the March for Nature in Auckland, where opposition to the Government’s conservation and environmental reforms was on full display. The Greens have promised to reverse key changes if elected, including removing what the party describes as an economic imperative for public conservation land and strengthening the role of Te Tiriti and tangata whenua in environmental decision-making.
The political battles come alongside a very different kaupapa — the celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
The Greens used Māori Language Week to announce a $200 million, four-year commitment to te reo Māori initiatives, including additional support for teacher development, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori and Te Mātāwai.
For Davidson, the issues intersect around a broader debate heading into Election 2026 — the place of Te Tiriti, tangata whenua, vulnerable communities and te taiao in the decisions being made at Parliament.
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