Greens co-leader dies

Rod Donald. Herald file picture

Green Party co-leader Rod Donald has died at the age of 48 leaving shocked colleagues and friends reeling at the news.

A Green Party spokeswoman said Mr Donald had died of a heart attack at his home in Christchurch.

His partner Nicola Shirlaw asked through a party spokeswoman that she and their three daughters Holly, Emma and Zoe be left to grieve alone.

Mr Donald was to be sworn in with other MPs at the opening of Parliament tomorrow but his seat will remain empty.

Prime Minister Helen Clark led a string of tributes to Mr Donald saying she was "shocked" and "deeply saddened".

"Rod has been very honourable to deal with. He always impressed me with both the strength of his convictions and his ability to work within the parliamentary system to resolve issues," Ms Clark said.

"Rod Donald was unfailingly pleasant, likeable, and always looking for a constructive way forward."

Miss Clark said her thoughts went out to his family, friends and colleagues who had suffered a tremendous loss.

"Rod Donald has remarkable energy and great zest for life. It is a cruel fate indeed which strikes down someone with so much to give in the prime of his life."

Mr Donald was first elected to Parliament in 1996 as a Green party member on the Alliance list.

An activist all his life Mr Donald was member of the Values party, took an active role in the anti-Springbok tour in 1981 and was a strong advocate for electoral reform.

Mr Donald's sudden death has shocked many because he was famed for his healthy lifestyle and robust good health.

His fellow co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said she was mourning his death.

"He is an incalculable loss to the Green Party, to the country and to me personally," Ms Fitzsimons said.

"I will miss his political wisdom, his generosity of spirit, his good humour and his sense of fun more than I can say."

Ms Fitzsimons said besides his key work in introducing MMP, he had worked tirelessly at community development, green issues and with Trade Aid.

"In Parliament he has fought for justice, for exploited Asian workers in sweatshops through the Greens' fair trade campaign and for the people of Zimbabwe in his efforts to highlight human rights abuses in that country."