Press Release – Green Party The Green Party welcomes the 1 July changes to support families and children, but says the main benefit increase must go further to help pull New Zealanders out of poverty. New Zealanders want to see a strong social safety net that enables everyone … The Green Party welcomes the 1 July changes to support families and children, but says the main benefit increase must go further to help pull New Zealanders out of poverty. “New Zealanders want to see a strong social safety net that enables everyone to live with dignity,” says Green Party spokesperson for Social Development & Employment Ricardo Menéndez March.