Jeanette has announced she will be stepping down at co-leader of the Greens. Technically, she will just not be putting her name up for re-election – the Greens elect/re-confirm their leaders at their annual conference (the only party that elects their leaders with the votes of the membership, not just the MPs).
Jeanette has made an enormous contribution to the environmental and social justice movements throughout her life. She has been the face of the Greens and a strong voice in Parliament, and intends to continue in that role as a backbencher. She had intended to step down earlier but Rod Donald’s death, still much mourned within the movement, caused her to stay and provide continuity of leadership.
I have no doubts that the Greens will continue to prosper and have a significant impact on New Zealand politics under the new leadership team, just as they have with Fitzsimons. As for who the new female co-leader will be, both Sue Bradford and Metiria Turei have put their names in so far. As with Russel Norman’s succession, the Greens have shown a willingness to make a generational leap, skipping more senior MPs for a newer face. If they go with that logic again, maybe we could see Metiria Turei take the lead. Or they could go with a candidate outside the MPs.
Here’s Jeanette’s video:
As a member of the Greens, a very inactive one, I just want to congratulate Jeanette on all her achievements and say that she has been a model leader who never let leadership go to her head.
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