Monday, 04 December 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand / Politics

Remaining Green Party voters 'mainly hippies and drug addicts' - Matthew Hooton

NZ Herald
17 Aug, 2017 11:37 PM2 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
Political commentator Matthew Hooton tells NewstalkZB that Green Party voters are 'mainly hippies and drug addicts'

The Green Party's woeful result in a new poll could spell the end for the party, according to one political commentator.

The party's support fell 11 points to 4 per cent in the latest One News-Colmar Brunton poll, which came a week after Metiria Turei resigned as co-leader over a welfare controversy.

A result of less than 5 per cent would mean the Greens would not return to Parliament unless they won an electorate seat, which they have achieved only once in their history.

Right-leaning political commentator Matthew Hooton told NewstalkZB today that most parties had a core level of support they did not fall below.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

"But it is possible for parties to completely disappear and we may be seeing that with the Greens," he said.

He predicted that the party had lost votes to Labour in urban areas like Auckland Central, Wellington Central and Epsom.

"This remaining 4 per cent I would expect are mainly hippies and drug addicts in the West Coast and Coromandel, and they are exactly the sort of people who are unlikely to show up.

"I think it might be the end of the road for the Greens, and in practice a vote for the Greens is now a vote for National because Winston Peters will not form a government with Labour if it depends on the Greens."

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Political polls have previously inflated the Green vote, and the party's result on election day is often lower than forecast.

Former Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said the poor result for her old party came after a "concerted assault" on Turei from many sides, especially media and commentators.

"I think the public are quite confused. I wouldn't be surprised if there are people out there who are not sure whether there is still a Green Party to vote for after some of things that have been said," she told Radio New Zealand.

Fitzsimons said the Green Party had been in this position before, and often performed best when it had its back against the wall.

Related articles

New Zealand|Politics

Poll: Greens in danger zone, Labour soars

17 Aug 06:09 AM
New Zealand|Politics

Shaw on poll putting Greens in danger zone

17 Aug 05:00 PM
New Zealand|Politics

Soper: Jacinderella effect plays right into Winston's hands

17 Aug 09:10 PM
New Zealand|Crime

Greymouth man jailed for eight years after vicious bat attack

18 Aug 04:31 AM

"I have no doubt at all that we will come back up again."

The Greens' poor result has prompted discussion about whether the party should seek an agreement with Labour in one electorate to allow them to survive.

But Fitzsimons advised against this, saying she was never in favour of doing deals with other parties.

Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

New Zealand

Firefighters battling large blaze in central Christchurch

04 Dec 08:38 AM
Kahu

'Talked to, not walked over’: Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere says up to1000 vehicles will join 'car-koi'

04 Dec 08:15 AM
Premium
Politics

Labour accuses Govt of ‘chaos’ after Nats and Act sing different notes on key tax promise

04 Dec 08:03 AM
Kahu

Rob Campbell: Health equity cannot be achieved by Te Whatu Ora

04 Dec 07:44 AM

Top toys of 2023 for kids & ‘kidults’

sponsored

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Firefighters battling large blaze in central Christchurch

Firefighters battling large blaze in central Christchurch

04 Dec 08:38 AM

Four fire appliances are attending the scene.

'Talked to, not walked over’: Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere says up to1000 vehicles will join 'car-koi'

'Talked to, not walked over’: Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere says up to1000 vehicles will join 'car-koi'

04 Dec 08:15 AM
Premium
Labour accuses Govt of ‘chaos’ after Nats and Act sing different notes on key tax promise

Labour accuses Govt of ‘chaos’ after Nats and Act sing different notes on key tax promise

04 Dec 08:03 AM
Rob Campbell: Health equity cannot be achieved by Te Whatu Ora

Rob Campbell: Health equity cannot be achieved by Te Whatu Ora

04 Dec 07:44 AM
Toy trends for Christmas
sponsored

Toy trends for Christmas

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP