Campaign Archive

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  From 100% to 5% - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  The Government has suggested that up to 90% of shares will be owned by New Zealanders, and Treasury’s figures show that around 5% of all New Zealanders will be able to afford to buy shares. Without even thinking of the Australian share float, which will dilute Kiwi ownership, the asset sales program is about a [...] read more
  March 5, 2013 11:13 am - 385 Comments
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  Keep Our Assets – inspired by Invercargill - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Downtown Invercargill may not be as heavily populated as downtown Auckland, or Wellington, but I have never met such a supportive and friendly group of random strangers. read more
  February 11, 2013 10:30 am - 19 Comments
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  Picnic for the Planet & campaign launch! - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  Our annual Picnic for the Planet was a great success yesterday, with great food, perfect weather, summer tunes, and an inspiring speech from co-leader Metiria Turei. Though I’d never admit it, as a staunch Wellingtonian, on days like yesterday in the beautiful Tahaki Reserve at the base of Mt Eden, I can see why people [...] read more
  January 28, 2013 2:57 pm - No Comments
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  Asset sales street talk - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Yesterday just before the Mixed Ownership Membership Bill was passed, I spent 5 hours on the streets of three communities on the Kapiti Coast with Green volunteers. I ran out of sheets on my clipboard as people asked to take petitions away and get family and neighbours to consider the issue. Waikanae was chilly but [...] read more
  June 27, 2012 10:44 am - 7 Comments
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  Where the Greens are tops - by frog

  
  
  
  Here is the list of booths where the Green Party came first.  We won the Party Vote in at least 26 places around the country. I have excluded very small booths like Arthurs Pass (we won with 19 votes) and Okiwi (10 was enough for first place).  In fact I’ve excluded any booth where under [...] read more
  November 29, 2011 8:02 pm - 10 Comments
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  Thanks for voting Green! - by frog

  
  
  
  It was amazing to watch the votes coming in from around the country on Election Day. We received 10.62% of the vote, which means that we can bring at least 13 Green MPs into Parliament. So a big welcome to Eugenie Sage, Jan Logie, Steffan Browning, Denise Roche, Holly Walker, and Julie Anne Genter. There [...] read more
  November 28, 2011 11:35 am - 76 Comments
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  Bringing Parliament to the people - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  Thanks to social media, it’s much easier for people in the community to engage with their politicians. Instead of holding their hands up in long town hall meetings, they can just log in to Facebook or Twitter and tap a few keys. This is why we at the Green Party take social media seriously. It’s [...] read more
  November 25, 2011 12:46 pm - 4 Comments
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  The Green Machine - by frog

  
  
  
  There have been a few misconceptions around what our Green Machine is and does. Some people have gotten it mixed up with an alert system that we run for Green Party members who are interested in keeping abreast of current events involving the party, and attributed some form of bad sportsmanship on our behalf. So, [...] read more
  October 11, 2011 6:24 pm - 16 Comments
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  Cycling for Habitat - by David Clendon

  
  
  
  Last Saturday I went to Botany for what I thought would be a ‘routine’ event, speaking to members of the public and saying some nice things about Habitat for Humanity.  I’m always happy to support this group, who do great work helping people into decent affordable homes. They managed to build about 50 homes for [...] read more
  October 5, 2011 4:45 pm - No Comments
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  Frack No! Sign the Petition - by David Clendon

  
  
  
  A lot of New Zealanders  have not yet heard about hydraulic fracturing (fracking), but many of those who do know something about it are worried, and rightly so! The technique is used to extract ‘unconventional’ oil and gas – that’s industry speak for sources of hydrocarbons that until recently were deemed too expensive or difficult to [...] read more
  September 29, 2011 11:01 am - 16 Comments
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  The nose that knows - by frog

  
  
  
  Frogblog readers may have read that Green MP Gareth Hughes broke his nose playing for the Parliamentary Rugby XV last week. The good news for Gareth is that he has now had surgery to straighten his nose, and it is on the mend. The bad news is that he has to wear a rather annoying [...] read more
  September 3, 2011 8:12 am - 5 Comments
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  Ohariu: deal or no deal? - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  There’s been a lot of talk lately on electorate deals and I’d like to put myself on the record as the Green Party candidate standing in Ōhariu. read more
  July 24, 2011 7:51 pm - 15 Comments
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  Donald Brash, racism, and political advantage - by David Clendon

  
  
  
  I almost feel sorry for ordinary members and supporters of the Act party.  Most of them base their support on a shared belief in laissez faire free market capitalism; a preference for a small, ‘non-interventionist’ state; and a form of social liberalism that gives primacy to the rights of the individual. That’s not a worldview [...] read more
  July 9, 2011 8:45 am - 56 Comments
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  AGM update: political position, Kiwibank, tackling child poverty - by frog

  
  
  
  Political positioning, a call to boost Kiwibank, a plan to cut child poverty in NZ plus candidate and campaign training. The Green Party’s AGM in Auckland has had it all over the long weekend. Political positioning was confirmed yesterday and summed up by Metiria thus: We’re more likely to support Labour on confidence and supply, [...] read more
  June 6, 2011 12:00 pm - 99 Comments
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  Green Party List features new female faces - by frog

  
  
  
  Some notable new women feature well up the Greens list rankings for the November election. The retirement of Jeanette Fitzsimons and Sue Bradford and the pending retirement of Sue Kedgley has made room for the very capable Cantabrian Eugenie Sage, the wonderful Wellingtonian Jan Logie and the accomplished Aucklander Denise Roche. Of course, the inimitable [...] read more
  May 29, 2011 7:40 am - 19 Comments
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  List ranking under way - by frog

  
  
  
  List ranking is under way in the Green Party. Ballot papers, candidate biographies and an Initial List have just gone out to members. The Initial List was formed by the votes of branch delegates and the candidates themselves, following the Green Party conference in Auckland in early February. At the conference Green candidates presented themselves to delegates [...] read more
  April 4, 2011 4:53 pm - 20 Comments
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  Green members considering political positioning - by frog

  
  
  
  Green Party members are thinking about the Party’s political positioning ahead of the November election. A draft remit is making its way out to branches for feedback and potential revision. Ultimately, the remit will go to the Party’s June AGM for a vote where it may be confirmed, rejected or amended. The draft remit – [...] read more
  April 4, 2011 12:05 pm - 169 Comments
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  More signs of Green change from Germany - by Metiria Turei

  
  
  
  The Green Party’s election victory in the Baden-Wurttemberg state parliament highlights the emergence of the Green movement as a major political force. For the first time in Germany the Greens will lead a coalition government with the traditional left party, the Social Democrats, taking the minor party role. The road to political success for the [...] read more
  March 29, 2011 1:29 pm - 9 Comments
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  Ghost of Melissa Lee haunts Mana by-election - by frog

  
  
  
  Public meetings on the Kapiti expressway have been postponed until after the Mana by-election, but Stephen Joyce had nothing to do with it…honest. It is apparently pure coincidence that the NZTA announced the postponement of the public consultation process on 2nd November, the same day that Kapiti residents protested against the expressway outside the campaign [...] read more
  November 9, 2010 4:24 pm - 2 Comments
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  Parliament mined, fossils detected - by frog

  
  
  
  I glanced out my window this afternoon and was alarmed to see Parliament lawn swarming with menacing figures dressed in white suits and armed with metal detectors, seemingly prospecting one of New Zealand’s finest heritage sites for minerals. read more
  September 16, 2009 4:13 pm - 18 Comments
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  Cyclists frock up for a safe climate - by frog

  
  
  
  On an awesomely clear Saturday in Wellington, around 150 cyclists gathered on the waterfront to show their support for the 350.org campaign and better cycling infrastructure, and to celebrate having fun on bikes while saving the planet. Cyclists of all persuasions showed up, from glamourous frocks on bikes through to the lycra set, families with [...] read more
  August 24, 2009 11:58 am - No Comments
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  5 reasons to vote Russel + get more muscle in Mt Albert - by frog

  
  
  
  Faster cheaper buses and trains will do more to cut congestion than another motorway. Aucklanders want to swim in clean water at their beaches and breathe clean air. Local government can be local and it can look after museums as well as footpaths. Smart Green ideas like home insulation means we use less energy and [...] read more
  June 12, 2009 10:12 am - 102 Comments
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  It ended miserabLee….again - by frog

  
  
  
   More self-inflicted wounds for National’s Mt Albert candidate Melissa Lee yesterday when an attempt at humour went wrong.  She had to explain that a suggestion to shoot the media was not hers – it was someone else answering email on her behalf (really, your honour, I wasn’t there). Fortunately, a lamington stole the spotlight, but [...] read more
  May 26, 2009 1:59 pm - 26 Comments
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  Oakley Waterfall – Oasis of Calm under threat - by frog

  
  
  
  Tucked away in a valley that seems a world away from the concrete and asphalt of Waterview Straight is a spectacular local attraction. Oakley Creek Waterfall cascades into Oakley Creek, its distinctive roar creating a dramatic ambience. Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman’s guided tour along the Creek opened his eyes to its fragile ecosystem. Wendy John of [...] read more
  May 26, 2009 11:12 am - 4 Comments
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  Russel and Katya at Pacific Music Awards - by frog

  
  
  
  Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman and his partner Katya Paquin enjoyed attending the 5th annual Pacific Music Awards at the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau City on Saturday night. Russel’s attendance was noted in speeches by Pacific Island Affairs Minister Georgina Te Heuheu and Vui Mark Gosche. And Niu FM’s Sela Alo – [...] read more
  May 25, 2009 3:43 pm - 1 Comment
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  Melissing the point - by frog

  
  
  
  A lot has been said already about Melissa Lee’s comment that the motorway would keep South Auckland criminals out of Mt Albert. While she did eventually apologise, I was surprised to hear her comment when she was pressed on the issue by Auckland University students yesterday. “You guys are students so you obviously don’t watch [...] read more
  May 22, 2009 6:20 am - 45 Comments
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  Bradford’s Truth – Mt Albert, motorways and Melissa - by Sue Bradford

  
  
  
  My regular column in the New Zealand Truth: The Government’s decision to go ahead with the Waterview motorway extension will certainly be doing nothing to help National’s chances in the Mt Albert by-election. If it goes ahead, the Transport Agency’s preferred option will see 365 properties demolished and $1.4 billion squandered on a motorway slashing [...] read more
  May 21, 2009 9:29 am - 22 Comments
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  Greens win in historic by-election - by frog

  
  
  
  Could this historic Green win in Australia over the weekend be a portent of things to come in Mt Albert? The Greens’ historic win in the ALP stronghold of Fremantle hinged on Liberal voters out to punish Labor, WA Opposition Leader Eric Ripper says. Greens candidate Adele Carles made history with her victory in Saturday’s [...] read more
  May 18, 2009 10:29 am - 4 Comments
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  Russel checking out the new digs - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  read more
  May 16, 2009 6:57 pm - 12 Comments
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  Mt Albert is set to get a new hue - by frog

  
  
  
  Green was the scene at the Green Party’s Mt Albert by-election campaign launch. Many of those present wore this most natural of colours, myself included. Party Co-Leader Russel Norman was a notable exception, choosing a blue tie that matched his eyes, but core green issues dominated his campaign speech. Russel spoke of the grey future [...] read more
  May 11, 2009 4:03 pm - 3 Comments
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  The Greens look in Mt Albert - by frog

  
  
  
  Here’s a sneak preview of the billboards going up around Mt Albert this week… Another reminder that, when it comes to campaigning, there’s the Green Party and then there’s the old grey parties. read more
  May 11, 2009 2:56 pm - 29 Comments
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  Dozy bulls bear down on Auckland - by frog

  
  
  
  Aucklanders are getting a raw deal when they try to oppose NACTs propose changes proposed to environmental protection laws as reported in Granny Herald today. The problem, say interested groups, is no one contacted them to let them know when or where the hearings were to be held, or when their submissions were scheduled to [...] read more
  April 30, 2009 5:19 pm - 11 Comments
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  Mt Albert and me - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  Tonight I’ve been selected as the Green Party’s candidate for Mt Albert so I thought I should explain to everyone why I’ve decided to stand. Green issues are Auckland issues, and as a Green Party candidate I’ll have the opportunity to stand up for Mt Albert issues in a way that the National and Labour [...] read more
  April 29, 2009 10:56 pm - 10 Comments
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  Dr Russel nominated for Mt Albert - by frog

  
  
  
  As you will have heard in this morning’s news, Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman has been nominated as a Green Party candidate for Mt Albert. A selection meeting next Wednesday will consider his nomination. Russel has described himself as the “underdog”, and said he did not believe National could win the seat. The Herald reports: [...] read more
  April 24, 2009 9:24 am - 126 Comments
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  Universities under pressure to keep wages low - by Metiria Turei

  
  
  
  The Tertiary Education Union reports today that some universities are under great pressure to keep the wages and salaries of university staff as low as possible. The government’s document Expectations for Pay and Employment Conditions in the State Sector seems to be placing pressure on many tertiary-education institutions to depress wages rather than face explaining [...] read more
  March 19, 2009 5:24 pm - 49 Comments
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  Kennedy Graham comes home - by frog

  
  
  
  It’s official. The electoral commission has published the final results of the election, and the Green Party is up one more MP than previously announced. Kennedy Graham, the number 9 on the party list, is officially in parliament. Ken teaches (taught?)  international politics and international law at the School of Law, Canterbury and Victoria University, [...] read more
  November 22, 2008 3:15 pm - 150 Comments
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  Five headed monsters - by frog

  
  
  
    I laughed out loud at this image over at Tumeke this morning, in a post from Bomber. I’m not entirely sure who gets the image credit, but perhaps it is best ascribed to John Key himself, as quoted in the NZ Herald: Do [New Zealanders] want to put in a National government with a [...] read more
  November 20, 2008 11:48 am - 24 Comments
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  Peter Dunne’s Green electorate - by frog

  
  
  
  Peter Dunne will have rightfully been celebrating having now returned his party to where he has wanted it to be for “nine long years” free of the annoying hangers on and ensconced back in the midst of a National-led government.  He may however be wondering about his decision to reject the Greens so firmly given [...] read more
  November 10, 2008 12:32 pm - 16 Comments
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  Number crunching - by frog

  
  
  
  Here are some of the individual electorate returns from Green campaigns around the country. The top ten electorates for Green votes were: Wellington Central – 6,657 votes, 20.08% Rongotai – 5,407 votes, 16.42% Dunedin North – 4,448 votes, 15.38% Port Hills – 4,406 votes, 13.53% Auckland Central – 4,341 votes, 15.41% West Coast-Tasman – 3,279 [...] read more
  November 10, 2008 12:21 pm - 11 Comments
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  Good night - by frog

  
  
  
  As I understand the electoral law, I’m not allowed to post new web content tomorrow until the close of polling booths at 7pm. And from 7pm onwards I intend to be at the Green Party Party, not in front of a computer typing.  So this is me signing off for the day.  Expect coverage to [...] read more
  November 7, 2008 8:29 pm - 18 Comments