Green hopefuls stress flexibility in choosing political partners

Clockwise from top left: Dave Clendon, Nandor Tanczos, Russel Norman, Mike Ward.

The Green Party is picking a new co-leader this weekend in what promises to be a tight race.

We put some key questions to the candidates:

What qualities would you bring to the co-leadership which stand you apart from the other candidates?

Dave Clendon: Having run my own business, managed a company and worked in the public sector, I can talk and listen to diverse groups and build relationships.

Russel Norman: Energy, focus on core issues, the potential to appeal to a broad audience, hardworking, a fresh youthful image, political nous, policy depth, an eye for political opportunities, and a deep commitment to justice, sustainability, peace and democracy.

Nandor Tanczos: Strong name recognition and a high public and media profile. The ability to excite supporters and potential supporters with a new vision, coupled with strong strategic planning abilities.

Mike Ward: Creativity and a commitment to Greens being Government and, I believe, the political and strategic nous to make it happen. A grasp of a broad range of policy areas and an understanding of the connections between the various strands of policy, particularly the social and the environmental.

Does the co-leader have to be an MP? If not, why not?

Dave Clendon: No. One of the strengths of having co-leaders is the opportunity to divide tasks. With a larger caucus an MP in the role may be desirable, but we are too few at the moment for it to be sensible to add extra workload on an MP.

Russel Norman: No. A co-leader outside Parliament can focus on reaching out to the community and building the party, both of which will be key to the future of the Greens.

Nandor Tanczos: Our constitution allows non-MPs to stand, and I would oppose any attempt to restrict that. However, it is difficult to see how a co-leader outside Parliament could fulfil the role and take their fair share of the co-leadership workload, simply because they are restricted in terms of what they can do.

Mike Ward: One of our leaders certainly needs to be and the other has to work closely with caucus, but there is some value in having one out of Parliament working closely with the grass-roots.

Can the Greens work with all parties in Parliament, or are there some parties with which Green policies are incompatible?

Dave Clendon: Greens will support policies from any party that contribute to environmental and social sustainability. Consolidating a good working relationship with the Maori Party would be a priority. There is less to be gained from investing in relationship building with personality-driven parties unlikely to survive the departure of their leaders.

Russel Norman: We work with all parties on an issue-by-issue basis in Parliament. However, it's a challenge to work with the current leadership of National because they are still in the thrall of market fundamentalism and are in denial about climate change.

Nandor Tanczos: We already work with other parties, and we will continue to make such decisions on an issue-by-issue basis. The real question is, "could the Greens support a National-led government"? It depends on the policy agreement.

Mike Ward: Absolutely vital that we do. Our apparent antagonism towards National and support for Labour in the past has probably alienated both staunch Greens as well as our Libertarian strand.

Jeannette Fitzsimons has criticised the Budget's focus on roading. Where else do you think the money was required more urgently?

Dave Clendon: Working to reduce our dependency on fossil fuel.

Russel Norman: Public transport, cycle tracks, cleaning up lowland rivers, and child poverty.

Nandor Tanczos: The rail network for public transport and freight. Shift tax off income and on to resource use.

Mike Ward: Initiatives to address our excessive consumption and waste, and reduce our energy use.

Are the Greens a permanent fringe party or can they establish mainstream credibility?

Dave Clendon: We have established ourselves as credible political players, by keeping out of scandal mongering, sticking to real issues, and putting forward evidence-based arguments.

Russel Norman: We already have such credibility. The Greens realise that the environment is a scarce resource.

Nandor Tanczos: We do need in particular [to] move out of the "left of Labour" cul-de-sac we have allowed ourselves to be trapped into.

Mike Ward: The urgency of the threats facing humankind and the planet are such that we need to learn to resist the urge to leap into every issue as it sticks its head up and focus on the core task of delivering a vision-based message.

THE CANDIDATES

Green Party rules require male and female co-leaders. The vacancy was created by the sudden death of Rod Donald last year.

Dave Clendon is an Auckland-based lecturer in environmental management. Former Green local body and parliamentary electorate candidate (Waitakere, 1999, 2005). Party national co-convener 2001-03.

Russel Norman is the Wellington-based Green Party development co-ordinator. Former Green electorate candidate (Rimutaka 2002). List candidate and campaign manager 2005.

Nandor Tanczos is the Auckland-based co-founder of Hempstore Aotearoa. Auckland Central candidate in 1999, elected to Parliament from fifth on Green Party list. Lost seat in 2005 election, but returned to Parliament after death of Rod Donald.

Mike Ward is a Nelson-based artist and former city councillor with long-time involvement with Values Party (co-leader 1984-89) and the Greens. Elected to Parliament in 2002 as a list MP but missed re-election in 2005.