Editorial: Billboard battle may hurt Greens

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman was in Hawke's Bay last week as part of a finely-nuanced campaign which has seen the Greens figuring strongly in the polls.

Addressing a water forum meeting at Lindisfarne College, Dr Norman presented as the very picture of a calm, reasoned environmentally-conscious politician.

Dressed, as he usually is, in a smart suit, Dr Norman continued the Greens' efforts to reach into the suburbs and convince mum and dad voters that his party is not just the repository of mung bean-munching Wild Greens and is more than ready to be a strong voice in the next Parliament, possibly even in the next Government.

With the Greens at more than 12 per cent in the polls, Dr Norman had the right to be pleased with his work, not that he was taking anything for granted.

Which is just as well, for a week is a long time in politics, especially in an election campaign, and now the Greens are battling to protect their image after a guerilla attack on National Party billboards, orchestrated by a Green Party member, the partner of Dr Norman's executive assistant.

Anne Heins has now been stood down by Dr Norman and her partner Jolyon White has resigned his membership of the Greens.

Stickers plastered on National billboards declaring "The Rich Deserve More" and "Drill it! Mine It! Sell it!" did not amuse Tukituki MP Craig Foss who says they damaged his hoardings.

What started out as, in the words of the billboard saboteurs, "political satire" has become at best an unwelcome distraction for the Greens and at worst a political liability.

The Green Party leadership says it knew nothing about the billboard sabotage but has felt compelled to offer to pay something toward the damage caused.

At least the Nats know who to blame for these particular attacks. They'll be less likely to find whoever was responsible for the Movember moustache on Mr Foss' image at Black Bridge.