Nash pays tribute to Turei

"We will get an outpouring of determined people who want change." Thomas Nash

Fallen Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei’s work to highlight the plight of New Zealand’s impoverished people should be honoured, the party’s Palmerston North candidate says.

On Wednesday, Turei announced her resignation amid intense pressure after her admission of benefit fraud 20 years ago.

She said she and her family had experienced unacceptable scrutiny since.

The party’s city candidate Thomas Nash said he had received many messages of support from people who supported Turei’s determination to stop poverty in New Zealand.

‘‘We will get an outpouring of determined people who want change.’’

Since Turei told the nation she committed benefit fraud, party volunteer numbers had boomed in Palmerston North, Nash said.

When Nash went door knocking at the weekend he had 24 volunteers to help – a far cry from the one or two he had in April.

Turei’s openness strengthened the campaign and gave a voice to New Zealanders who felt they did not have a say, Nash said.

On Monday, two Green MPS announced they were standing down after Turei’s initial refusals to resign.

Kennedy Graham and David Clendon’s resignations were accepted and they will retire at the election.

All other Green MPS were backing their leader.

Even with Turei gone as coleader, Nash still hoped that with her determination to help stop poverty in New Zealand, she would campaign hard for the party.

The latest Newshub-reid Research poll shows the Greens on 8.3 per cent of the party vote, down 4.7 from the previous pole.

But, Nash said a Labour and Greens Government was looking lightly, as Labour surged up 9 points to 33 on the back of its leadership change.