Marama Davidson’s plans for the Green Party
Greens backbencher Marama Davidson is the new co-leader of the party.
She replaces Metiria Turei as its female co-leader, alongside male co-leader James Shaw.
Davidson scored a resounding victory for the role against her only other competitor Julie Anne Genter, with 110 votes to 34.
Speaking in Auckland yesterday morning, Davidson said it was ‘‘the greatest honour of her life’’.
She spoke about winning back voters who the Green Party had lost to Labour in the 2017 election – but also 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 gross domestic product (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 paid tribute to her rival Genter. ‘‘I know, Julie Anne, that as well as the policies and 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 the fact that she is not a minister.
She also promised the party’s membership a greater say in how the Greens operate.
Shaw said that Davidson’s campaign had ‘‘lit a wildfire through the party’’.
Davidson has been comfortable to be seen as the more Leftwing 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 yesterday 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.
‘‘I am sure our work will be strengthened with the addition of Marama Davidson helping to leading this important work alongside me, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, and Greens coleader James Shaw.’’
The 44-year-old Davidson entered Parliament in 2015 when former Greens co-leader Russel Norman resigned.
Before joining Parliament, she 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 college-style system, where each electorate is given between one and four delegates to vote with, adding up to a total of 144.
‘‘I will make sure that those without a political voice are heard.’’
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson