‘Desperate, immature’: Davidson hits back at National, pitches to Pacific voters

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson says better rights for Pacific seasonal workers and visa-free travel from the Pacific are among the changes they will push for if voters give them a strong enough mandate on Saturday.

Asked by William Terite on Pacific Mornings why changes to the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme matter to the party, Davidson says Pacific workers deserve the same conditions as everyone else.

“We must ensure that all of our workers, especially our Pacific RSE and migrant workers, are cared for, simply have the pay and the conditions and the living conditions that everyone deserves.”

She says Green MP Teanau Tuiono has been particularly vocal on the changes, which sit alongside the party’s push for visa-free travel to Aotearoa for people from the Pacific Islands.

“I believe there’s some agreement perhaps with Labour, but these are the practical improvements that the Greens will push for that are specific for Pacific people.”

Pointing to the party’s record, she says restoring New Zealand citizenship to Sāmoans born in Western Sāmoa is just one example of the common sense, practical changes they got across the line.

Watch Marama Davidsons' full interview below.

She believes more than 2000 people have since had their citizenship restored.

Davidson says they will chase as many party votes as possible so they have the mandate to secure those changes.

She also credits the home insulation scheme, won by former Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons from opposition with Sir John Key’s government, with helping generations of Māori and Pacific families combat respiratory illness.

Davidson condemns what she calls the National Party’s relentless attacks on her co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick and the Greens, as well as the Sensible Sentencing Trust’s billboard campaign.

“They’re so desperate and immature. It’s quite childish.

“Fancy not being able to talk about your own finance minister and her plan.”

Davidson says the attacks are not working and some National supporters have been turned off by them.

“It’s certainly not denting our support because we will keep swinging it back to pushing hard and fighting hard for people to be able to live affordable lives with our solutions.”

National leader Christopher Luxon has denied his party is bullying Swarbrick.

Greens MP Teanau Tuiono is seeking to repeal a bill where citizenship for Western Samoans was revoked in 1982. Photo/Green Party

“The Greens are saying a bunch of things, and we just use their own words in our promotion.”

With Labour already ruling out major Green policies, including the wealth tax, Davidson says it’s uninspiring politics.

She says the wealth tax will be a priority in any coalition negotiations, claiming two-thirds of the country support it.

“No politician will be able to ignore a mandate from the country if the country says loud and clear we demand a wealth tax. No politician will be able to ignore that at the negotiation table after November 7.”

On whether the Greens are open to working with the Opportunity Party, Davidson says they will work with anyone who aligns with their election priorities.

She says the party’s bottom line is a change of government.

An IPSOS poll showed A wealth tax of 2.5 percent on assets above $10 million (excluding family homes) - which the Greens are campaigning on - was the most popular, with 64 percent in support. Photo/RNZ/Ipsos Issues Monitor/Supplied

“This government has caused harm, has been cruel to low-income people, to Māori and Pacific people, to disabled people, to workers.”

With the Greens running several Pacific candidates this election, Davidson’s pitch to Pacific voters is that a party vote Green means more Pacific representation.

“As tangata whenua, I remain consistently proud of our ancient whakapapa connections across Te Moana Nui a Kiwa.”

The general election is on Saturday 7 November.