Sue Bradford
"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.
I have a deep & genuine commitment to all our Charter principles & to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. I have skills, knowledge and contacts from a lifetime of community sector, union & street activism which I continue to try to use to further our kaupapa. I now have considerable experience as a Green MP, and am committed to using that experience to help build our caucus, Party and vote. I have lots of ideas about positive Green solutions to social and environmental problems, and dream of one day having the opportunity to put some of these into practice.
Work and life experience
Member of Parliament (since Dec 99).
Previous employment: Community development worker & political organiser - unemployed & beneficiaries' movement (1983 - 1999); Tutor in Not for Profit Management, Unitec (1995 - 99).
Voluntary and other work: Mother of 5 children; involved in activist politics since 1967.
Qualifications and training
BA & MA (Hons) - Chinese language; History & Politics; Diploma of Journalism.
Political background
Rejoined Green Party 1998 and active at branch, provincial and national level since; stood for Auckland Mayoralty for Green Party 1998; stood in Rodney electorate 1999 & 2002 elections - list MP since Dec 1999. Currently Convenor national Campaign Committee.
Policy interests: Work and Income/Employment and unemployment; Community and Voluntary sector, including Community Economic Development; Housing; Mental Health; Disability Issues, Childrens' Issues, Fishing and Marine environment.
Community and other involvement
Chairperson, Auckland Peoples Centres (1990-99); Trustee, Kotare Research & Education for Social Change (1995 - present day); Trustee, Auckland Region Employment Resource Centre (1989 - 1997); Trustee COMMACT Aotearoa (Commonwealth NGO - community economic development) (1995 - present day).
I have a strong commitment to the kaupapa of Te Tiriti, & actively worked alongside tangata whenua in the unemployed movement, including as national coordinator for Te Roopu Rawakore o Aotearoa in the 1980s. I now live in the rohe of Te Rarawa with whom my family has ancestral connections, and am enjoying the opportunity of strengthening personal and political ties.
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