At 28, Greens MP Gareth Hughes is the youngest sitting Member of Parliament, but he doesn’t think that is a disadvantage.
“I think my youth is a benefit … it makes me more accessible … everyone should be represented.”
Growing up in Gisbourne in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Hughes was surrounded by unemployment. By the time he arrived in Wellington to study at Vic in his early twenties, he had begun to develop the worldview that shapes his politics today.
“I met a whole bunch of friends (in Wellington) who opened my eyes and I became a really passionate environmentalist.”
Hughes’ environmental views are fundamentally based on an understanding that the planet and its resources are finite. “The Earth isn’t growing … our whole economic system is based on infinite growth … something’s got to give, and at the moment it’s our environment that’s giving.”
Hughes envisions New Zealand committing to an economic model that focuses more on sustainability and producing value-added products, rather than simply on recurring growth. “By focusing on premium products we can get more money for producing less, and at the same time protect our clean and green brand, and protect our environment.”
Hughes’ environmental fervor has seen him campaign for Greenpeace, sail the Rainbow Warrior, and even be arrested, dressed as Ronald McDonald, while protesting the use of genetically-engineered chicken feed. “I got pretty active in the GE campaign … even though we didn’t get the moratorium extended, essentially we won … we stopped GE ingredients being used by McDonald’s, Inghams, Tegal … you just can’t have a commercial release of GE in New Zealand anymore.”
As a Member of Parliament, Hughes is rubbing shoulders with the likes of John Key and Phil Goff, but isn’t shy about voicing his opinions on them. “I see the difference between them (Labour and National) as Coke and Pepsi … Labour has voted 17 times with National this year … we (the Greens) have only voted with them once.” While he acknowledges that his constituents are more inclined to support Labour than National, he feels that National and Labour are much closer in policy than the Greens are with Labour.
Regarding tertiary education, Hughes is unhappy about the developments the current Government is making towards tightening the entry restrictions for university students. “It might save the Government a few dollars, but in the long run it’s going to really damage the economy … students need to get aware of it and campaign against what the Government’s doing.” Hughes feels this recent development, combined with the extension of the 90-day probationary bill, is the Government conducting an “attack on youth.”
Despite the current situation, Hughes is hopeful for future change. “Something’s got to change … We, and I, are working towards a Green change. That’s the only way we are going to solve the current issues.”
Would you like Coke, Pepsi, or an injection of youth?
