Jeanette Fitzsimons has been in Northland for a party, but not the Green Party.
The former Greens' co-leader was here this week to celebrate the gains made by GE Free Northland, local government and other groups in banning genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Ms Fitzsimons was also guest speaker at two events in Kerikeri and Whangarei held by GE Free Northland about GMOs and related issues. She described the Northland councils' stand "as quite a bold step".
Those local governments have effectively brought in another layer of legislation that protects their regions, even though their plans can still be challenged.
"I so admire the determination, persistence and strategic thinking of GE Free Northland and the Northland councils, including the Northland/Auckland inter council working party, who have worked so well to get this," she said.