Mr. Paratene (Nga Puhi) aims to help encourage the party vote for the Greens, and says he has no intention of becoming a Member of Parliament.

“I am not aiming to become an MP. I am simply trying to help the overall party vote, and say to people 'Vote for your kids and your grandchildren- they will thank you for it'.”

Mr. Paratene believes that the Green party is the party that comes close to his own principles, and that the Greens truly understand the long term picture.

“When you consider the founding Green principles, of ecological wisdom, or kaitiakitanga of our land and rivers and oceans, and of social justice, I believe you get to the very heart of what Tino Rangatiratanga actually means.”

“That is why I am running for the Greens. I am just doing my bit for our mokopuna for the generations to come”.

Mr. Paratene is well known as a motivational speaker, especially on environmental issues for the agency Talking Heads.

He was one of the Master of Ceremonies at the New Zealand Oscar Party at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 2004. He is in demand as a speaker and has spoken at a wide variety functions and conferences all over the world.

Contact
rawiri [dot] paratene [at] greens [dot] org [dot] nz