August 21, 2001
Auckland Greens will launch their “Auckland City: Clean, Green and Moving” campaign today with their team of eight
candidates making a return lunchtime trip on the ferry to Half Moon Bay. In keeping with their commitment to a GE FREE
Auckland, GE free food and wine is being served for the celebration.
The Green candidates are a diverse and enthusiastic team, reflecting youth, business and tangata whenua. They include
Maire Leadbeater who is restanding for Council on an independent Green ticket, Metiria Turei, a resource management
lawyer, of Ati Hau Nui A Paparangi and Ngati Kahungunu, who is standing for Mayor; and James Redwood who has been
actively involved with the Basque Park community garden.
They have endorsed the Positive Politics Pledge (see below), and call on candidates from all parties to join them in
working towards a more respectful, non-partisan, and clean approach to public politics.
Key elements of the campaign are the support of a strengthened local democracy; safe, healthy and just communities; and
the development of a sustainable local economy, in partnership with manawhenua and tangata whenua. They plan to
introduce STV (Single Transferable Voting) in local elections as soon as possible.
Mayoral candidate, Metiria Turei, said, “A more active local democracy needs to be developed to allow greater
participation in planning decisions from the diversity of peoples in Auckland, and in particular to work with the
principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Council can play its part in supporting community economic development through
local, fair and environmentally friendly procurement policies.”
Neil Abel, a business man of over 30 years, and standing for Council in the Eden-Albert ward, said, “We must bring vital
services such as water and sewage, back into public ownership and control, and stop further privatization of local
services.”
The Greens believe the addition of their candidates in the local body election will energize voters looking for
candidates who will put people before profits. Now, more than ever, it is vital to ensure that Auckland City is Clean,
Green and Moving.
ENDS