Labour-Greens deal: Fewer roads, more trains

The Green Party's agreement with the Labour Party will see transport funding re-focused away from roads and into investment in rail, cycling and walking - including light rail from the CBD to the airport in Auckland, which will be paid for by scrapping the East-West motorway link.

The confidence and supply agreement will also see the Government look into a new 'Green Transport Card' to reduce the cost of public transport, beginning with low income households and beneficiaries.

Labour has also agreed to a $100 million 'Green Investment Fund' to kickstart hopes for $1 billion in new investment in low carbon industries.

The headline move for the Greens, who will hold the Climate Change and Conservation portfolios as well as an associate Environment role, is the Zero Carbon Act to legislate the two parties' target of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

That will result in the establishment of an independent Climate Commission see all new legislation undergo a climate impact assessment.

The commission will be charged with planning a transition to 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2035 - which could mean all schools are fitted with solar panels.

It also proposes help to the agricultural sector to reduce emissions and improve water quality - and to "shift to more diverse and sustainable land use including more forestry."

The Green Party has been critical of intensification of stock on farmland.

Both the NZ First and Green agreements include a funding boost for the Department of Conservation.

The Greens' agreement also touches on the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary - but it has different wording to NZ First's and does not specifically mention fishing quota holders. It says the parties will "use best endeavours and work alongside Maori to establish the Kermadec /Rangitahua Ocean Sanctuary). Labour has also promised to look into the Greens' desire for a large sanctuary near Taranaki to protect the blue whale.

In social policy, the Greens' agreement includes an overhaul of the welfare system, including better access to entitlements and removing "excessive" sanctions on those who breach the rules. It will also get a review of Working for Families.

Other social policy includes work on the gender gap in the core public sector in the first term, and providing more funding to insulate homes.

First home buyers could also benefit from a 'rent to own' scheme for the 100,000 homes Labour plans to build under KiwiBuild.

They will also get a review of the family reunification programme for refugees. The referendum on legalising cannabis use will be held by 2020.

What you need to know about the Labour and Green Party's confidence and supply deal.

Climate Change

Introduce a Zero Carbon Act and establish an independent Climate Commission (which will also look at transitioning to 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2035), analyse all new legislation for climate impact, establish a Climate Change board of public sector CEOs and a set of indicators for environmental, social and economic sustainability

Transport

Investigate a Green Transport Card to reduce the cost of public transport for low-income people and welfare recipients, prioritise National Land Transport Fund towards rail infrastructure as well as cycling and walking, cancel Auckland's East-West motorway link, work towards light rail from Auckland city to airport

Green economy

Government-backed Green Investment Fund of $100 million to stimulate up to $1 billion of new investment in low carbon industries by 2020, assist agricultural sector to reduce biological emissions and improve water quality

Environment

Increasing conservation funding and predator control, commit to minimising waste to landfill by reducing all waste classes by 2020

Rivers and lakes

Stronger regulation to clean up waterways, fund freshwater enhancement, wind down Government support for irrigation, better enforcement of the Resource Management Act

Ocean Sanctuaries

Work with Maori to establish the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary as well as a Taranaki blue whale sanctuary

Welfare

Ensure access to entitlements, remove excessive sanctions, review Working for Families, provide safe sleeping environments for vulnerable families

Health

Free counselling for under-25s, increase funding for alcohol and drug addiction services, referendum on the personal use of cannabis by the 2020 election

Education

Ensure children with special needs and learning disabilities can fully participate in school

Pay equality

Eliminate the gender pay gap within the core public sector

Homes

A rent-to-own scheme will be part of Labour's Kiwibuild programme, increase in the number of homes insulated

Refugees

Adequately fund and support family re-unification for refugees

The Greens will hold the following ministerial positions: Climate Change, Associate Finance, Conservation, Women, Land Information New Zealand, Associate Environment, Statistics, Associate Transport, Associate Health and an Undersecretary to the Minister of Justice (Domestic and Sexual Violence).