Green Party list announced

Written By: - Date published: 11:45 am, May 20th, 2023 - 11 comments
Categories: election 2023, greens, political parties - Tags:

From the Green Party website:

The Green Party has released its list of candidates for the 2023 election.

With a mix of familiar faces, fresh new talent, and strong tangata whenua voices, this exceptional group of candidates are ready to set the direction of the next Government.

“Now is the time for a Government that will take bold action to build a cleaner, fairer future for all of us. I am stoked that we are heading into the 2023 general election with such a strong group of candidates who will help us set the direction of the next Government,” says Green Party Co-leader, Marama Davidson.

“It is an immense honour to stand alongside such a strong group of tangata whenua voices who bring with them a vast range of experiences, knowledge and skills. Over the last three years we have set out a plan through Hoki Whenua Mai to restore Māori landowners’ tino rangatiratanga and right to control their own land.

“With more Māori Green MPs, we can push the Crown to uphold its promise to guarantee tino rangatiratanga of tangata whenua over their whenua, kainga and taonga katoa. Our message is simple: if people want a government that delivers that plan for Aotearoa, we need more Green MPs. Ko tēnei te wā,” Marama Davidson says.

Green Party Co-leader James Shaw added:

“Only the Green Party will take bold action to cut climate pollution and build resilient communities where everyone has what they need to have food on the table, a safe place to call home, and live a good life,” says Green Party co-leader James Shaw.

“I am delighted that we are heading into the general election with such a strong group of candidates that can set the direction of the next Government and deliver our plan to build a climate-friendly Aotearoa that works for everyone.

“2023 will be one of the most consequential elections we have had in decades. Climate pollution is not coming down fast enough. Far too many families are forced to pay through the roof to rent cold, damp, and unhealthy homes. And the distribution of this country’s wealth is completely out of balance.

“We can fix these things – but we need more Green MPs to do it. Entering Parliament after the election, will be an experienced Green Party Caucus that reflects Aotearoa’s priorities and will provide a strong voice for bold climate action, protecting nature, and ensuring everyone has a safe, warm and affordable place to call home. The time is now,” says James Shaw.

The Green Party conducts the most democratic process of any political party to select its candidates for a general election.

The list is a culmination of a two-step process. Green Party delegates voted on an Initial List. Delegates were members of the party who were selected by their local branches to attend a conference where they spent time hearing from candidates.

The initial list was put to a vote of all members of the Green Party, who were given the option to choose this initial list, or rank candidates in their preferred order. A group of Party representatives discussed and approved the list that has been published today.

The Green Party’s list for the 2023 election is:

  1. Marama Davidson (list only)
  2. James Shaw (list only)
  3. Chlöe Swarbrick (Auckland Central)
  4. Julie Anne Genter (Rongotai)
  5. Teanau Tuiono (Palmerston North)
  6. Lan Pham (Banks Peninsula)
  7. Golriz Ghahraman (Kelston)
  8. Ricardo Menéndez March (Mount Albert)
  9. Steve Abel (New Lynn)
  10. Hūhana Lyndon (Te Tai Tokerau)
  11. Fa’anānā Efeso Collins (Panmure-Ōtāhuhu)
  12. Scott Willis (Taieri)
  13. Darleen Tana (Tāmaki Makaurau)
  14. Kahurangi Carter (Christchurch Central)
  15. Celia Wade-Brown (Wairarapa)
  16. Dr. Lawrence Xu-Nan (Epsom)
  17. Francisco Hernandez (Dunedin)
  18. Benjamin Doyle (Hamilton West)
  19. Mike Davidson (Ilam)
  20. Stephanie Rodgers (Ōhāriu)
  21. Suveen Sanis Walgampola (Mount Roskill)
  22. Dave Kennedy (Southland)
  23. Gina Dao-McLay (Mana)
  24. Reina Tuai Penney (Northland)
  25. Nick Ratcliffe (Tukituki)
  26. Dr. Alexander McNeil (Kaikōrua)
  27. Richard Wesley (Wigram)
  28. Neelu Jennings (Hutt South)
  29. Rochelle Francis
  30. Sapna Samant (Maungakiekie)
  31. Kair Lippiatt

Green Party Election 2023 candidate profiles

11 comments on “Green Party list announced ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. weka 1
    20 May 2023 at 12:07 pm

    I'm pretty happy with that. Seven existing MPs, and the new people coming in have a strong environmental focus to redress the imbalance to social justice that was happening before.

    The Greens currently have enough vote for 10 MPs (only 9 in parliament currently because Kerekere decided to stay on as an independent, thus dropping the GP representation). Would be great to see Efeso Collins and Scott Willis coming in at the least.

    Lots of good experience and perspective to vote for here.

    • Grey Area 1.1
      21 May 2023 at 5:09 pm

      Seven existing MPs in the top 10 and only three new bloods is a good thing? Yes only two ministers outside cabinet I get, but what impact have Davidson (an embarrassment being ranked No1), Tuiono, Ghahraman, and Menéndez March had?

      Shaw has done a decent job shackled by Labour, Genter is very competent and good value, Swarbrick has charisma and potential. But the rest? Experience as an MP is not necessarily a vote winner. Look at National and ACT.

      Sorry not buying it.

  2. Ben 2
    20 May 2023 at 12:30 pm

    In addition, Tamatha Paul is standing for Wellington Central, electorate only. I’m in two minds about that because she’s doing awesome work at the council.

  3. Phillip ure 3
    20 May 2023 at 1:22 pm

    Good that steve abel is next cab off the rank..

    I've got a steve abel story..

    Back in the 90's when he was working on the stop logging campaign…I was working on the breakfast show @ bfm..

    And Steve had chained himself to the rotor blades of a logging chinook helicopter…

    And we took him live to air as another chinook hovered above him… trying to intimidate him…

    It was like the ride of the valkyries from apocalypse now…

    It made for some epic feckin radio..

    Of course that campaign was successful..

    And Mr abel is the type of new green mp we need…

    So those wanting green action on a scale not seen before…need to give the greens the list tick…

    (He also got the nod for writing/performing 'the saddest song in the world..one year..

    Google him..!..have a listen..give him your vote..)

    • Tiger Mountain 3.1
      20 May 2023 at 2:16 pm

      I heard Steve sing in public at some meeting or another back in the “EcoNation 2020” days, he is no nonsense and thoughtful when interviewed too. Am a Green voter–there are enough of us to infuriate and baffle the greybeard pundits.

  4. That_guy 4
    20 May 2023 at 4:36 pm

    The high position of Lan Pham and Steve Abel is a good sign. I’m daring to hope that the Greens are getting over identity politics. Or at least de-emphasising that style of politics. Overall it’s good.
    Purely in terms of outcomes achieved, work done and allocated money spent, Marama should be behind James.
    Including Collins to me is a sign that social conservatives can still be Greens, which is a good thing.

  5. DS 5
    20 May 2023 at 6:11 pm

    In relative (not absolute) terms, the Greens get more votes out of the South Island than the North Island. And yet there is only one South Islander in their top ten.

    • Corey 5.1
      20 May 2023 at 7:49 pm

      It's actually insane. Chch and Dunedin are incredibly reliable left wing cities and both labour and the greens wouldn't exist without the legacy of the mp's from those two cities ….. But the left really seems to hate the south island and everyone on it .

  6. Craig Haggis 6
    20 May 2023 at 7:20 pm

    Let's hope the Green don't do TOO well otherwise Celia Wade-Brown will get in!!

    • Incognito 6.1
      21 May 2023 at 3:27 pm

      And your compelling political argument against Celia Wade-Brown is what exactly?

  7. Corey 7
    20 May 2023 at 8:06 pm

    Honestly, if the Greens wanted 15 or more seats in parliament, all they would have to do, is be silent from now until the election.

    The Greens always go up in the polls when they are quiet, because everyone likes the idea of the Greens and likes the environment, whenever I haven't heard from them in months I'll start seriously consider voting for them and then they open their mouths and make me think they are absolutely crazy.

    Honestly, look how many paragraphs have to be read before a statement about the environment. They are the only environmental party in any global election I've ever followed that barely mentions the environment.

    It's frustrating too because they've got some great policies, like their universal dental policy, it's a great policy but you wouldn't know because under dental they have like thirty paragraphs of waffling on about respecting tangata whenua and the LGBTQ+ before they say what their dental policy is! Just get to the point then waffle.

    I actually want this party to do really well but…. They are the worst when it comes to coms and foot in mouth.