Jeanette Fitzsimons MP

Jeanette Fitzsimons has been an MP since 1996, and was Green Party Co-leader from 1995 until stepping down in June 2009.

Jeanette has been contributing to the energy debate in New Zealand since the nuclear power controversy of the seventies and has published on energy efficiency, sustainable energy and climate change. Her Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, passed in May 2000, forms the framework for current policy on sustainable energy.

From 1980 until 1992 Jeanette taught in the Department of Planning at Auckland University, tutoring and lecturing in Environmental Studies and Energy Planning. During this time she published widely on the public policy aspects of energy and transport planning, management of hazardous substances, climate change, resource management and consumerism. She has also worked as a consultant for local authorities, regional councils and government departments on these issues, and worked with the government to develop the Land Transport Management Act.

When not in Wellington on Parliamentary business, Jeanette lives with husband Harry on an organic off-the-grid farm in the Coromandel.

Green Party Spokesperson for: Agriculture, Climate Change, Energy, Genetic Engineering, Economics, Finance and Sustainability, Research, Science and Technology, Transport.

What's New?

Climate Change (Transport Funding) Bill: First Reading

02 Jul 2009

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Genetic Modification Revisited

02 Jul 2009

A landmark speech on genetic modification from Jeanette Fitzsimons, Green Party GE Spokesperson, delivered at the NZ Institute of Agricutlural and Horticultural Science (NZIAHS) convention at Lincoln University on Wednesday 1st July.

Greens win support for sustainable biofuels on Green Day

01 Jul 2009

The Green Party is optimistic about the future of biofuels now that the Government has signalled support for the Green’s Sustainable Biofuel Bill being introduced tonight. "Without sustainability standards, National’s biodiesel subsidy has the same problem that Labour’s biofuel sales obligation initially had - no protection for the world’s hungry or for the environment,” Jeanette said.

Will smart meters fail consumers?

25 Jun 2009

There is great risk to consumers if the Government fails to take the lead in setting minimum performance standards for smart meters. Smart meters can give homeowners a choice of how and when they use electricity, saving them money and protecting the environment. But this can only happen if they have the right information at their fingertips and the right choice of tariffs as an incentive.

Consumers left behind in the smart meter rush

25 Jun 2009

The Green Party’s fear that consumers are missing out on the benefits of smart meters was confirmed today by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. There is a clear need for the Government to show leadership and protect the interests of consumers, Jeanette said.

Sustainable Biofuels and Forestry Bills go to the House

18 Jun 2009

Green Party Member’s Bills to give New Zealand better biofuels and encourage sustainable forestry will go before the House, after the pair were drawn from the Member’s ballot today.

Economic models support action on climate change

17 Jun 2009

New economic modelling shows that New Zealand can continue with an Emissions Trading Scheme at little economic cost and Green Party MP Jeanette Fitzsimons says it is a clear message to Government to stop dithering and get on with it.

Jeanette Fitzsimons Sustainable Biofuels Bill

12 Jun 2009

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Green Party MP Jeanette Fitzsimons and Green Party political advisor Rick Leckinger talk the talk about how New Zealand needs to walk the walk on sustainable biofuels. Jeanette has legislation ready to go which will protect New Zealand's sustainable biofuels industry from overseas biofuels - many of which are made from unsustainable feed stocks.