Darleen is that rare combination: kaitiaki, scientist, campaigner, entrepreneur, wahine Māori, international. She has more than 30 years experience in senior leadership roles across corporate business and grass-root community spheres in both Europe (1997 - 2014) and now back here in Aotearoa.

She first stood as candidate for the Greens in the 2020 general election for the Northland electorate. “I was deeply concerned with how negligent our Government and public sector had become during my years away. Poverty had been allowed to go intergenerational. Structurally, we condoned ignorance, engendered violence and without adequate support systems we were also raising our babies to suicide. Our forests were dying and marine ecosystems were collapsing. Putting profit before people and the planet simply had to stop”.

Darleen stood again in a by-election for the Whangārei Urban ward of Northland Regional Council in February, 2021 narrowly missing out by 450 votes despite being a complete newcomer to the electorate. She campaigned for climate action, now; future-proof economy; and empowered communities.
She is Kaiwhakahaere for Te Rōpu Pounamu and is instrumental in supporting our Party to embody its Tiriti partnership responsibility as well as to weave Te Ao Māori perspectives throughout our charter, values, and policy.

Contact: [email protected]