Here at Greenpeace, we believe that change comes through civil society taking action. After decades of effective campaigning, we know that we can’t leave the destiny of life on Earth up to governments or corporations. It is everyday people getting involved and taking action that bends the trajectory of history.
But, having said that, we also know that the quality of government is hugely significant, and hence elections matter. So we strongly encourage you to vote – that’s you!
How do I vote? Who will win the New Zealand election 2023? And what will it mean for the environment?
Those who came before fought hard to get the ability to influence the government via the ballot box, and we should use it. Your vote and the votes of our friends and family will result in wins or losses for the environment.
An economy within nature’s limits
It’s understandable the talk in this election has been so much about the higher cost of living. The supermarket checkout has become as painful as getting a filling.
But we can’t be economically stable without abundant, living ecosystems. Only within nature’s limits can we live well.
In fact, a big part of the solution to the cost of living crisis is the same as the solution to the climate crisis – decarbonising the energy system. The spike in global oil prices has driven inflation around the world. The sooner we decarbonise our energy systems, the sooner we’ll be free of the price gouging of the oil industry and their petrostates.
We can use our votes to help ensure we live in a society with clean energy, convenient and affordable public transport, and thriving forests, rivers and oceans.
Voting for the New Zealand general election is now open
The political parties, large and small, have hugely different policies on the environmental issues of our time. The combination of parties in a governing coalition will have a sway on turning off the plastic tap, how well we protect sea life, and setting rules on the wise use of land.
The shape of the next government will influence whether we allow fossil fuel exploration or how we reach 100% clean energy. They’ll be responding to how communities cope in the next flood, cyclone or drought, made more severe and damaging by the climate crisis.
Will you vote for the environment? Will you nudge the people around you to vote for the environment?
Our Climate Shift Plan provides the incoming coalition of whichever stripes a clear agenda – to end oil and gas development; to reduce the impact of dairy farming on waterways; and to decarbonise our transport system.
People power influences political power
Who is sitting on the Parliament seats really does make a difference.
We saw this just this month when the Government signed the Global Oceans Treaty. With a billion acts of courage, our Greenpeace movement pushed the world’s leaders to champion the Global Oceans Treaty for the protection of the oceans. We’ll need a similar political commitment to get a Global Plastics Treaty that ends the production of single-use plastic over the line.
As an activist group, our Greenpeace crew don’t leave it up to the politicians. No matter the outcome of this election, our Greenpeace movement will be pushing political representatives from the outside.
But right now, let’s vote like the lives of the wild species and the health of our ecosystems depend on it – because they do. And we depend on them.
You need to be enrolled for your vote to count. If you’re not enrolled when you get to a voting place, you can enrol there. You can enrol and vote at any voting place, including on election day.
For more information such as voting locations, electorate and candidate information, special votes, and other details check out the Electoral Commissions information site vote.nz.
For more information on which political parties are promising what for the environment, follow the link below.
How do I vote? Who will win the New Zealand election 2023? And what will it mean for the environment?