Metiria Turei and Russel Norman on election night, 2011. Photo / Michael Craig
The National Government's lurch to the right has scuppered prospects of a new policy deal between it and the Greens, the smaller party says, but National claims the Greens wanted policies that were unaffordable.
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei this morning confirmed talks about a new memorandum of understanding (MOU)
between her party and National had now ended.
The two parties at opposite ends of the political spectrum on environmental and social issues found some common ground last term and agreed to work on initiatives including a subsidised home insulation programme, pest control and toxic site clean-up.
Since the November election, where the Greens achieved their best ever result winning 14 list MPs, the two parties have been in talks over an extension to the previous deal.
Ms Turei said her party was disappointed that National had now decided against expanding the MOU.
"We presented them with a significant list of policy initiatives that included their own policy and ours, some which cost money and some which did not.
"I think it's fair to say National has hardened their right wing stance since the election.
"The Greens are a much stronger opposition in this term of Government and there is much less room for agreement on policy that we might have previously expected.
