Jacinda Ardern is defending Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg from criticism and calling for "greater unity" on climate change issues in New Zealand.
The Prime Minister said backlash against 16-year-old Thunberg's fiery speech to world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly last week was not fair.
"I don't think it's fair - I do think we need climate activists," Ardern said on Monday. "It certainly couldn't be easy having been thrust onto the world stage in that way but I have deep admiration for her."
- National launches petition against 'car tax'
- Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson unleashes on Greta Thunberg
- Jacinda Ardern defends 'laughable' 5 percent tax proposed on farming emissions
Several high-profile figures have spoken out against Thunberg, including Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson who told her to "be a good girl" and "shut up".
"How dare you stand there and lecture us, you spoilt brat."
Despite Ardern's support for Thunberg, she has been accused of "falling short" of the teenager's speech, in which she called out leaders for failing to show up with the necessary ambition and leadership to tackle climate change.
Thunberg said: "You are failing us. But the young people are starting to understand your betrayal. The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us I say we will never forgive you."
Greenpeace New Zealand executive director Russel Norman said while Ardern's leadership has "represented a shift in the right direction" for climate change policy in New Zealand, it is "nowhere near enough".
Ardern appeared on The AM Show on Tuesday and was asked why Parliament hadn't yet declared a climate emergency, like the UK Parliament has done, as well as several councils in New Zealand.
"We tried," the Prime Minister replied. "An attempt was made to have Parliament declare a climate emergency but it was voted down by the National Party."
Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick in May sought a motion for Parliament to declare a climate emergency, without debate and without giving notice to other MPs.
Objection was raised by National MPs, however, and the motion failed.
National deputy leader Paula Bennett said at the time Ardern's openness to declaring a climate emergency was "ridiculous".
Ardern said she has "absolutely no problem" with her Government declaring a climate emergency, because "everything we are doing is based on the view that this is an emergency".
The Prime Minister said a declaration would need to be from the entire Parliament, not just the coalition parties that make up the Government - she said that would "defeat the point".
Ardern said the Government is already acting on climate change, pointing to the Zero Carbon Bill, putting more money into public transport, and trying to incentivise the importation of low emission vehicles.
"Those are things we are already doing and, might I point out, that have not generally had the support of the Opposition."
She pointed to National's opposition to the Government's proposed electric car feebate scheme, which would see discounts on electric vehicles as well as low-emission petrol cars, and fees slapped onto gas-guzzlers.
The Government's proposed 5 percent tax on agriculture emissions if the sector is brought into the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) was also criticised.
"We need greater unity around these issues," Ardern said.
"I'm pointing out that not everyone in New Zealand is on the same page."
Newshub.
