Geologist gets Green candidate nod
Geologist Dr Aaron Stallard will contest the 2020 general election as the Green Party candidate for Nelson.
‘‘I’ve always had an interest in environment and sustainability issues, and the direction society takes,’’ he said. ‘‘I feel this is the right time to contribute more on those issues.’’
Stallard is the fourth candidate to enter the running for the Nelson seat. The Green Party announcement of his candidacy follows that of incumbent MP Dr Nick Smith (for National), Rachel Boyack (Labour) and Sue Grey (NZ Outdoors Party).
A political newcomer, Stallard said the campaign emphasis was ‘‘party vote Green’’.
After receiving more than 16 per cent of the party vote in 2011 and more than 14 per cent in 2014, support for the Greens in Nelson dropped to 7.51 per cent in the 2017 election.
Stallard said he aimed to get that party vote tally back up to 10-15 per cent this September.
He suggested that electors determine the issues most important to them ‘‘and vote accordingly’’ for the electorate candidate.
‘‘I can’t wait to be the voice for nature and social justice in the Nelson campaign,’’ Stallard said.
‘‘I’m deeply concerned about climate change. That’s a big reason for me to enter this election.’’
While the Covid-19 lockdown had led to some positive changes such as improved air quality and more people cycling, there was no guarantee those changes would continue.
‘‘Most likely, the outcome will be a return to business as usual if large parts of
‘‘I’m deeply concerned about climate change. That’s a big reason for me to enter this election.’’ Aaron Stallard
Green Party candidate
society don’t ask for more than that from their politicians,’’ Stallard said.
‘‘We need to apply ourselves more than ever.
‘‘We need to double our efforts.’’ Stallard said he believed the majority of trips in the Nelson electorate were between the city and Richmond, which would take about 30 minutes to cycle – ‘‘not appreciably slower than a car’’ – on a good cycleway.
The Green Party had some ‘‘good success’’ this term as a junior member of the Coalition Government, Stallard said, singling out the Zero Carbon Act along with work on clean water, housing and the minimum wage.
‘‘I think, it’s been a productive and successful Government,’’ he said.
The relationship with Labour had been ‘‘very pleasing to the Greens’’.
‘‘I think, both will be looking to continue that.’’
Stallard, a father of three, is the founder of Stallard Scientific Editing, an onlinebased scientific editing company that provides editing services for researchers worldwide.
He has created a website, climatechangenz.nz that explains the science behind the warming planet and outlines what people can do as individuals and nations.
The 2020 general election is due to be held on September 19.