Greens promised cannabis referendum

An internal party email has revealed a raft of policy concessions for the Greens in Government, including a referendum on the full legalisation of the personal use of cannabis.

The Labour Party also appears to have promised a major increase in the Conservation budget, massive bumps to funding across social issues and an overhaul of the welfare system - a policy former coleader Metiria Turei bet on and lost her job over.

In the email to members, it was also revealed the Greens were expecting stronger laws to regulate and improve the quality of water and the wind-down of government funding for irrigation.

‘‘Our Government will treat all people with dignity and respect.

‘‘We will insulate more homes and bring home ownership within reach of more people,’’ the email said. ‘‘We will help fix the mental health system. And our education system will better support all children, no matter what their learning needs are.’’

The party leadership has also moved to prepare its members for some difficult conversations as part of a government with Labour and NZ First.

‘‘Governing with Labour and NZ First will mean sometimes we’ll have to be pragmatic. We share a lot of goals and values, but not all of them.’’

The email does not reveal the finer policy points that have been negotiated - the agreement between Labour and the Greens is expected to be released some time next week.

But leader James Shaw said it was an ambitious programme of work that had been bargained, and some of the policy gains they were expecting would be outside of the portfolios the Greens could expect to hold.

Conservative lobby group Family First was already preparing to rail against the prospect of a referendum.

National director Bob McCroskrie said it would be running a ‘‘nope to dope’’ campaign.

‘‘Legalising marijuana and the rise of Big Marijuana is the wrong path if we care about public health, public safety, and about our young people.’’

Greens’ policy gains:

❚ Significant climate action with a shift to a net-zero carbon emissions economy by 2050 (specific focuses on transport, energy and primary industries).

❚ The establishment of an independent climate commission.

❚ Support for a shift in farming to more sustainable land use.

❚ Overhaul welfare system, remove ‘‘excessive sanctions’’ and review Working for Families.

❚ Increase conservation budget.

❚ New water quality measures.

❚ Free counselling for under-25s, and access to mental health services and support for everyone.

❚ Special needs education access.

❚ Progress to end gender pay gap in public service.

❚ Reducing number of students living in hardship.

❚ Increase funding for drug and alcohol addiction services and a referendum on the personal use of cannabis by the 2020 election.