Teeth were knashed, gasps of horror abounded and social media went crazy the day the Green Party announced there was a teeny tiny possibility we would consider working closely with National after the election. We had abandoned our voter base, disillusioned our membership and failed left-wing NZ. Traitors, all of us.
But those people concentrated on left vs. right politics, rather than recognising what the Green Party has that neither Labour nor National do. We exist because our collective consciences could not let NZ's environment and people fall by the wayside, while left and right based their decisions for NZ's future on how much they could contradict each other.
While we are a political party, we are made up of thousands of NZ'ers who place the environment and our people above petty political fights which have disastrous effects on our most vulnerable. We aren't really enamoured with traditional politics. It just happens that the political arena is the place to get vital decisions made. Decisions that affect you.
You're going to start hearing this a lot: Greens are not left or right, but out in front.
The old economic models are fast becoming redundant. Greens saw it coming, and we have the solutions. That's the function of a 'progressive party'. And our vision for a clean, Green economy that works for everyone attracts people from across the political spectrum - who give the mandate to the Greens to do this important work.
We don't want to be tied down into a category. We care about making your life better and keeping this country in great shape, for our kids and future generations. Our priority is you.
The Green Party has worked well with both left and right already, and will continue to do so. That is the function of an independent party. We will obstruct mining in our national parks to preserve these special places for generations to come. And at the same time we can make arrangements with National where our policies find alignment - and yes there are some.
The achievements we have made with both Labour and National have already changed NZ for the better.
We worked alongside Labour to outlaw physical abuse of children. We created warm healthy housing options for freezing families in the Deep South. We established an agreement with National that has resulted in cycle-ways across the country. We've managed to outlaw sow crates, and outlined plans to minimise our waste output. And we won't stop working to protect our environment and provide a better future for NZ families.
We won't be moving our stance, or knocking on Key's door. We will continue to work with both parties to achieve better outcomes for you, as we have in the past.
We will continue to be NZ's conscience. We will challenge the left and the right when they make decisions that aren't in NZ's best interest. If you want a party in Parliament who truly cares about you, then party vote Green in November!
