Norman highlighted it was time to “find a new challenge for [himself].” He also stated his wishes to “spend a bit more time with [his] family.” Norman’s partner, Katya Paquin, recently gave birth to the couple’s third child.
The Green Party is now working to find Norman’s replacement to join the remaining co-leader, Metiria Turei. The party’s constitution requires that there be both male and female co-leaders, and therefore only male party members can run for the role. Turei has stated there are “plenty of high-calibre men” to choose from.
Party members, Gareth Hughes, James Shaw, Kevin Hague and Vernon Tava, are all gunning for the role. Last week the four featured on a live debate on TV3’s The Nation and were asked a range of questions, including where they will take the party, their political hero and their favourite animal.
During the debate, contestants were quizzed on their knowledge of the major economic issues of the day. All four have been criticised for failing to answer basic questions such as the current official cash rate and the rate of inflation. Russel Norman has been regarded as providing the Green Party with economic credibility.
Profiles
Kevin Hague
Born: 1960 (age 54) in Aldershot, England — has lived in NZ since 1973First elected to Parliament: 2008
Current positions: Green Party Spokesperson for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, ACC, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Biosecurity and Customs, Cycling and Active Transport, Sport and Recreation, Rainbow Issues, Rural Affairs
Past Positions: Director of the AIDS Foundation, Chief Executive of the West Coast District Health Board
Education: BSc in Mathematics and Physics, University of Auckland
Favourite Animal: Weka
Stance on Issues:
Economics: That social justice and the environment are two sides of the coin of degradation. Right now used as resources extracted by the economy; for this to change, the priority needs to change. The economy should be used as a ways and means of protecting and strengthening society and the environment.
National-Greens Coalition: Hague agrees with the Green Party members that a National–Green coalition is “highly unlikely.”
Spying: Spying domestically is okay, but with extreme oversight. Spying internationally is not. Hague wants to shut down the GCSB.
Where to now? The Greens need to get into government. Hague wants to implement the policies that the Greens campaign on.
James Shaw
Born: 1973 (age 42) in WellingtonFirst elected to Parliament: 2014
Current positions: Green Party Spokesperson for Economic Development, Commerce, Trade and Investment, Tourism, Small Business, Sustainable Business, State-Owned Enterprises, Open Government, Electoral Reform
Past Positions: President of AIESEC, Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), Venture Manager at the Akina Foundation
Education: BA in International Political Economy, Victoria University of Wellington. MSc, Responsibility in Business Practice, University of Bath
Favourite Animal: Whale
Stance on Issues:
Economics: Green economic, social and environmental policies are designed to work together. Economic tools should be used as way to develop and strengthen the environment and New Zealand people.
National-Greens Coalition: Shaw would not have a National–Green coalition.
Spying: Spying for trade and security is normal and acceptable; however, transparent oversight is necessary. The public needs to have a thorough understanding of what is happening.
Where to now? Expanding the vote to over 15 per cent.
Gareth Hughes
Born: 1981 (age 33) in GisborneFirst elected to Parliament: 2010 (not elected, entered on list following retirement of Jeanette Fitzsimons)
Current positions: Green Party Spokesperson for Broadcasting, Energy, Mining, ICT, Libraries and Archives, Research, Science and Technology, Tertiary Education
Past Positions: Coordinator for Greenpeace
Education: BA in Religious Studies, History and Politics, Victoria University of Wellington
Favourite Animal: Maui dolphin
Stance on Issues:
Economics: New Zealand’s people and New Zealand’s environment have to be prioritised over the economy.
National-Greens Coalition: Hughes doesn’t believe a Green–National coalition could ever exist, based on National policy over the last two terms of government.
Spying: The New Zealand Police should have spying capabilities for domestic purposes, but with appropriate oversight. New Zealand shouldn’t be involved in Five Eyes and shouldn’t spy on other countries.
Where to now? Hughes is happy where the Greens are. He wants to continue being the Progressive Left branch of New Zealand politics.
Verona Tava
Born: 1977 (age 38 approx.)First elected to Parliament : Yet to enter parliament
Current positions: Auckland Council Deputy Chair of the Finance Committee, Deputy Chair of the Hearings Committee, Solicitor at Auckland Community Law
Past Positions: Teaching Fellow at University of Auckland
Education: Master of Laws with First Class Honours, University of Auckland
Favourite Animal: Maui dolphin
Stance on Issues:
Economics: Believes in sustainability. Sustaining the environment comes down to social responsibility. Economics should be used as the means for doing so.
National-Greens Coalition: Tava believes in working with whichever parties will advance Green policy. He sees the issue of sustainability as “beyond the left–right spectrum” and something that needs to be addressed immediately. In short, Tava would consider a National coalition.
Spying: Spying is acceptable as long as it has a firm oversight, preferably not by politicians either.
Biggest Threat to NZ: New Zealand industries are damaging the environment.
Where to now? The Greens would be a party that advocates for sustainability. Tava believes the Greens should be involved in every government for that reason.
A New Direction
The leadership race spawned a new debate on the direction of the Greens. During the debate, three of four candidates were adamant that a National coalition was off the table. However, newcomer, Vernon Tava, was more open to the idea. He maintained that sustainability was “beyond the left–right [political] spectrum.” This led to his views that the Greens should work with anyone who is prepared to consider their policies.The 2014 election saw the Greens begin in a tight coalition with the Labour Party. The agreement ultimately fell apart when both parties were at odds over various economic policies. The notable top tax rate policy proposed by the Greens was publicly rejected by Labour leader at the time, David Cunliffe, in 2014. The policy had income earners over $150,000 per annum being taxed at 40%. However, since the change of leadership in the Labour Party, the close relationship between Labour and the Greens has diminished.
Political columnist for the New Zealand Herald, Fran O’Sullivan, highlighted that it is unrealistic to expect Andrew Little will pursue a coalition with the Greens for the 2017 election. In her view, Little intends to return the Labour Party to a position where it can rival National. The change in Green leadership potentially marks a new direction for the future of the party.