NZ Election 2020: Greens say deal with Labour is the 'only way' to rebuild from COVID-19

Shaw says the best way to ensure Labour prioritises climate action is to vote for the Green Party.
Shaw says the best way to ensure Labour prioritises climate action is to vote for the Green Party. Photo credit: Getty

The Green Party says a Greens-Labour partnership is the "only way" to ensure New Zealand will build back "better than before" the COVID-19 pandemic.

Green Party co-leader James Shaw says the party is bringing forward "huge" spending to pay for the response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Part of that spending will also deal with long-term issues - including biodiversity, climate change and poverty.  

"The climate change, biodiversity and inequality crises existed well before COVID-19," Shaw said in a press release on Wednesday. 

"Now is the best chance we'll get to tackle these challenges, but to make that happen, the Greens must be a part of the next Government."

The Greens are currently polling on 6.5 percent, with Labour on 50.1, according to the latest Newshub-Reid Research poll conducted in late September.

Newshub Reid-Research poll results - conducted 16-23 September.
Newshub Reid-Research poll results - conducted 16-23 September. Photo credit: Newshub

If Labour drop below 50 percent, they will need to form a coalition with the Green Party to stay in Parliament. At over 50 percent, Labour can govern alone. 

Some right-wing National supporters are considering voting Labour to shut out the Greens from Parliament, including The AM Show sportsreader Mark Richardson.

"I personally just see the Greens as dangerous to this country, plain and simple," Richardson said on Friday.

Winston Peters has urged voters to vote for his party, New Zealand First, to avoid a "Green and Labour nightmare".

Labour leader Jacinda Ardern has refused to say whether she would govern alone, if given the chance.

Ardern hasn't ruled out forming an agreement with the Greens - even if she doesn't need them.

Shaw says the best way to ensure Labour prioritises climate action and the environment is for voters to support the Green Party.