Shaw advocates for solar energy

Green Party co-leader James Shaw (right) says fixing the climate is not a job for some people. “It’s a job for all of us everywhere in every walk of life.” He introduced Green candidate for the East Coast, Jordan Walker, at a meeting on Monday night attended by about 40 people. Picture by Avneesh Vincent

Minister for Climate Change introduces East Coast candidate

Discussions around relying on solar power for energy, ending poverty and introducing the Green Party candidate for the East Coast electorate were on the agenda at a meeting at Evolution Theatre on Monday night.

Greens Party co-leader James Shaw took the lead and talked about his connection to Tairāwhiti.

“My aunt and uncle have lived here for many years and I have had a lot of happy summers and winters with my cousins, especially celebrating occasions such as Christmas and Easter, when I was growing up.

“I come from a settler family who farmed on both this side of the gorge and over in Opotiki where my mother grew up. So it’s always good to come back here.”

Mr Shaw, who is the Minister for Climate Change, acknowledged those present who were either directly or indirectly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

“The scale of the storm was such that it was sort of a wake-up call and a realisation that we are living during a time of consequences and that we have to act now.”

On putting a stop to air pollution, Mr Shaw said it was crucial to flip everything that currently runs on fossil fuels to “something that runs on electricity which needs to be sourced entirely from the sun that shines for free everyday.”

“The reason I root for solar energy is that it’s the cheapest form of power ever used by the human race —cheaper than coal, gas, and even wind power.

“That’s because when they are in mass production they are actually quite cheap to produce. So even if one in three or five houses use solar energy, it will give them a little bit of money in their pocket to spend on other things.

“At the same time it will also help make us more resilient to extreme weather events and increasing irregularities in the country.”

Mr Shaw said the party was focused on their latest announcement on the need to redesign the tax system, a guaranteed income and commitment to every Kiwi that no matter what, their income will never fall below $385 per week.

“I got challenged on radio by Mike Hosking this Monday morning on how has this got anything to do with climate change?

“Let me put it this way. How can we as Greens ask for more money to invest on widespread electric  charging networks when there are still kids who don’t have food on the table or have a roof over their head or have enough money to buy uniforms or have access to healthcare?

“You cannot divorce the two. We have to look after people as well as the planet, because if you don’t look after your people, then they can’t look after the planet.”

Mr Shaw introduced local Jordan Walker as the Greens candidate for the East Coast electorate.

Walker, who identifies as trans masculine and prefers the pronouns they and them, thanked the audience for being present and showing their continued support.

Hailing from Invercargill, Walker, apart from having Māori roots, also has Scottish and Irish whakapapa. They are also an advocate for the arts, ensuring artists are treated with respect and dignity. They also support various marginalised groups in Tairāwhiti.

As the youngest of four siblings, they said at the age of four, their mum relocated to Te Tairāwhiti as “she was trying to escape an emotionally and physically abusive relationship with my dad”.

“We grew up in a low income area in the suburb of Elgin. When I was 13, I lost my brother Joshua to suicide, 21 years ago on this very same day.

“This is what drives me. What greater gift to give back to him and many like him by advocating for marginalised groups and simply prioritising people over profit.”

Recalling a time when their mum was the single parent surviving on a benefit, Walker said their neighbourhood, which was considered a low economic area, remains unchanged.

“Social inequity is an injustice, and our people, our kids, deserve a better life than that. They deserve an abundant life.

“This struggle has always been an issue, particularly for Māori because of colonisation, and life is getting harder as we trudge through inflation.

“This is why I support the income guarantee which ensures redistributing wealth economically. This is what makes me so proud to be part of a political party who prioritise social inequity with climate change as they are so intrinsically connected.”