Greens pick Davidson as co-leader
Green backbencher Marama Davidson is the new co-leader of the party.
She replaces Metiria Turei as female co-leader alongside male coleader James Shaw.
Davidson won a resounding victory against the only other competitor Julie Anne Genter, with 110 votes to 34. Speaking in Auckland on Saturday morning Davidson said it was ‘‘the greatest honour of her life’’.
She spoke about winning back voters who the Green Party lost to Labour in the 2017 election but also about reaching out to new voters from her own background in poorer communities.
‘‘In order to be a genuine and relevant voice for modern Aotearoa, we need to reflect its diverse reality. We need more members from all backgrounds and communities,’’ Davidson said.
‘‘I know what it is to struggle to find a home to rent. I know what it is to not have enough food for your tamariki. And I know that no parent should have to go through that.
‘‘The community I come from is at the coalface of the most pressing issues we face as a society: rising poverty and inequality, the housing and homelessness crisis, polluted rivers and poor health and education outcomes.’’
She said a massive economic shift was needed to a system that put the wellbeing of people and the environment above simple GDP growth.
‘‘In this country two men have more wealth than the poorest 30 per cent.
‘‘I will make sure that those without a political voice are heard.’’
Davidson Genter.
‘‘I know Julie Anne that as well as the policies and the changes that you will implement as a minster, your contributions to growing our movement will be absolutely essential.’’
Davidson’s campaign focused on the independence she could provide the party from the Government, given she is not a minister.
She also promised the party membership a greater say in how the party operates.
Shaw said Davidson’s campaign had ‘‘lit a wildfire through the party’’. paid tribute to
Davidson has been comfortable to be seen as the more Left-wing or activist candidate in the race, although there has been little real policy debate.
‘‘It’s unfortunate that any of us get stuck into one little corner. But it’s also something I’m not scared of being framed as,’’ Davidson said when she entered the race.
‘‘I’m certainly proud of my connections to the very communities who have borne the brunt of all the economic and social failures that this country has seen over decades.’’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called Davidson to congratulate her.
‘‘The Green Party is a valued confidence and supply partner of this Government and I look forward to working with Marama to build a stronger, fairer and more inclusive country,’’ Ardern said.
‘‘I am sure our work will be strengthened with the addition of Marama Davidson helping to lead this important work alongside me, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, and Green co-leader James Shaw.’’
The 44-year-old Davidson entered Parliament in 2015 when Russel Norman resigned.
Before Parliament, Davidson worked for the Human Rights Commission and the Owen Glenn Inquiry into Child Abuse and Domestic Violence.
The Green Party picks its leaders using an electoral collegestyle system where each electorate is given between one and four delegates to vote with, adding up to a total of 144 delegates.
Electorate branches have been meeting over the past fortnight to decide who will get their votes.