The headlines recently have strongly focused on the exposure of John Key and National’s empty facade and it’s lack of vision for a better NZ. Meanwhile, opposition parties have continued to campaign positively, with their detailed policies: making people, fairness, & environment central.
The Greens haven’t had the sensational headlines. However, they have steadily continued with their well organised campaign: it’s a mixture of the recognition of all the things that need fixing in NZ, and of policies and values focused on helping to make the country fairer, smarter and more sustainable.
Radio National has an article up today: “Greens buoyant as campaign closes“:
About 100 supporters gathered in Auckland at the party’s final event before the election, to hear the co-leaders speak and be entertained by Lucy Lawless, Jordan Luck, Julia Deans and Anika Moa,
Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said the Greens were on track for their best result ever.
“It’s super positive. I mean the Greens have got great momentum in this campaign. We’ve stuck to our clear messages – cleaner, fairer, smarter New Zealand – and I think people have really responded to that. As much as has been humanly possible, we’ve stayed out of all the other stuff that’s been going on.”
Dr Norman said he thought 15 percent was an achieveable result on Saturday night.
RadioLive tweeted an image of the performers at the campaign close:
Metiria Turei’s campaign closing speech included a message to people to go make change happen! She reinforced her focus on the policy area closest to her heart – the problem, and the will to fix it:
People are ready for positive Green change.
Election campaigns mean lots of panels and lots of interviews, and one of the most common things I get asked is what do you most want to achieve if in Government?
The answer for me has always been simple.
When in government, I will do every single thing possible in my power to eradicate child poverty in New Zealand.
We cannot afford to spend any more time talking around this issue.
One in four New Zealand children now live below the poverty line.
Under National, 35,000 more children are living in severe poverty. Yet John Key says he’s done about all he can to help them. That is simply unacceptable.
Solving child poverty is not impossible; it’s entirely possible. We have the tools, and the techniques – it’s now simply a matter of choice
Next week – next week! – I hope to be part of a new Government that sits down together and puts the interests of our nation’s children at the top of its to-do list.
In Government, I will take personal responsibility for ensuring that every New Zealand child knows that they matter and that their country refuses to waste another drop of their potential.
Tureii gave an indication of the practical aspects of the Greens campaign. Hopefully it will mean the days when the Greens vote seemed to evaporate on polling day are well and truly a thing of the past:
Both our membership and volunteer base are the biggest and strongest they’ve ever been.
This election we have run our biggest ever ground campaign, making over 15 times the numbers of phone calls we made in 2011 and knocking on tens of thousands of doors.
One in every five of these face to face conversations secures us a Green vote.
And that is why our polling puts us on track for 15 percent of the vote, meaning six new Green MPs in parliament this Saturday – 20 in total.
Russel Norman’s speech focused on the environment and economic issues, recapping his focus over the last few years:
The Greens will be a stable, grounded and positive part of a Labour-led government.
[Update] NZ Herald video – parts of Turei and Norman’s speeches, plus a little bit of the music.
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