Chloe Swarbrick to stand for Green Party in 2017
Auckland’s youngest mayoral candidate has announced her bid for Parliament on Facebook.
Chloe Swarbrick, 22, announced on Facebook on November 11 that she will stand for the Green Party in next year’s general election.
Swarbrick said her mayoralty campaign this year taught her there was ‘‘a tide for change’’ and ‘‘a tide for progressive inclusive compassionate and empathetic politics’’.
Swarbrick also subtly drew on the US presidential election of Donald Trump, and said people were, ‘‘dissatisfied with the establishment and the status quo’’.
‘‘I don’t want us to fall into a trap of hatred or fear. I want to be part of the change that is positive for our country and our society,’’ she said in a Facebook video.
‘‘So today I’m announcing that I’m joining the Green Party and I’m intending to run with them in the next general election. I hope this can be the start of a new conversation about the future that we, as New Zealanders want for our country.’’
Swarbrick said many of her supporters had asked what she would do next after losing the Auckland mayoralty to Phil Goff this year.