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"Being Green is certainly not about forcing your lifestyle
onto others," says Jeanette. "It's showing how it is possible
to live a rich, fulfilling lifestyle with less impact on nature."
Parent of two and grandmother of another two, former academic and musician,
Jeanette is one of New Zealand's most high-profile environmentalists
and has been Co-leader of the Green Party since 1995. Read
more.
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Russel has been involved with politics all of his adult life, working
as a policy researcher, assistant to Green Members of Parliament
and most recently as campaign manager for the Green Party. He says
that his academic background - he has a doctorate in politics -
"gives him an analytical approach, which is helpful",
and he singles out conservation issues as his passion. "Being
an activist may seem a weird career choice," he comments "but
I feel obligated to use my talents and skills to fix things where
I can." Read more.
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"One way to create change is to protest about the system
from the outside. Another is to build people's organisations within
the shell of a malfunctioning system. The third way is to go inside
and change the system from within." An activist for social
justice, peace and women's issues since 1967 and a Green MP since
1999, Sue has worked for change in one or other of these ways since
her early teens. Read more.
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Metiria's experience over the last 20 years ranges from anarchist
activism to establishment party politics, being unemployed to practising
as a lawyer. But through all these different stages of her life
she has been motivated by a need to remedy injustice - "being
the most useful for the biggest number of people". She is humorous,
questioning and courageous: "Ideas are meant to be tested,"
she explains. "Some people can't cope with having their ideas
challenged, but I have no problem with it." Read
more.
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According to Sue "the best preparation for being an MP is
experience in campaigning." She is impeccably prepared; a veteran
campaigner in the fields of women's rights and a former Wellington
City Councillor. Sue is also the face of safe food campaigning in
New Zealand politics, a profile built on ten years of meticulous
research - including visiting the factories, battery hen farms and
slaughterhouses where food starts its long journey to our plates.
Read more.
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Keith was born into a politically active family and has been an
activist and campaigner since the first anti-nuclear marches and
anti-apartheid protests in 1960s New Zealand. Keith has brought
his long term specialist knowledge of human rights, both domestic
and international, to his work as a Green MP. He has been described
as 'the bravest man in Parliament' and 'respected across party lines
for his consistency and willingness to speak against the tide of
popular opinion.' Read more.
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Ken is currently the Chief Executive of the West Coast District Health Board, and was previously Executive Director, NZ AIDS Foundation. His achievements include being in the team that stopped the 1985 All Black tour to South Africa and being one of the leaders of the campaign for the 1993 Human Rights Act. Kevin brings significant practical skill, experience and resourcefulness combined with a personal passion. He is powerfully motivated through his sense of urgency over the survival of our planet.
Read more.
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Catherine describes herself as an "activist, feminist, mother,
gardener, writer, teacher, mediator, advocate - and stand-up comic."
A political activist since her teens, she has worked for change
in the areas of social justice, Te Tiriti and environmental issues.
She has a history of challenging corporate polluters, and a deep
interest in developing decision-making processes which involve everyone.
Read more.
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Ken teaches international politics and international law at the School of Law, Canterbury and Victoria University, and has previously worked for NGOs, the UN and as a diplomat. He was involved in negotiating the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, defending the policy as a NZ diplomat before the UN in Geneva and New York and was also Director of the UN University’s Leadership Academy in Jordan, Middle East. Having returned to New Zealand he now aspires to contribute his experience and perspectives to helping the country tackle the global problems we face.
Read more.
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Change is the only constant, and David, a lecturer in resource
management, has had sound experience in teaching people to lead
and manage change. Now he would like to apply his energies and skills
to politics, working for a more just, greener world. David is of
Pakeha and Ngapuhi me Te Roroa descent. "I feel it is both
a privilege and a responsibility to make some positive contribution
to the wellbeing of Aotearoa." Read
more.
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Gareth is a vegetarian and currently works as the Green Party climate campaigner. Before that he worked for Greenpeace New Zealand and Australia from 2000-2005 and has been involved in activism for many years, including being arrested dressed as Ronald McDonald, climb buildings and unfurling a protest banner in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. At 26 years of age, Gareth is the youngest Green Party candidate and is married with one son.
Read more.
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Steffan has been at the forefront of the New Zealand organics movement
for nearly twenty years. His successful Bio-Gro horticulture business
won both the Horticulture and Supreme awards in the Marlborough
Rural Environmental awards in 2003. "When I look out at the
land and sea, I know it could be so much better; we're pushing our
resources to the limit right now. I'm aiming for genuinely sustainable
organics in our food, fibre, forestry and fishing industries - which
also makes good business sense." Read
more.
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