Candidate Kōrero #11: Teanau Tuiono

In the run-up to the NZ election, we are profiling our Green Party candidates and sharing their messages with Kiwis around the world. Today we have a message from Teanau Tuiono, candidate for Manurewa and number 16 on our list.

Current Role:
Political candidate number 16. I see this as an extension of the organising that I’ve been doing on social justice and environmental issues.

My Area Of Passion:
Indigenous Rights in the context of the environment

My Number One Goal in Government:
Sorting out climate change is up there but so is eliminating poverty. I am from the Te Uriroroi hapū so protecting the Poroti springs would also feature. I would like to support the revitalisation of Pasifika languages from the realm countries as well. So many issues! I can’t pick one. I will do them all!

My favourite thing about being a Kiwi:
There is a song by Trinity Roots called “Home, Land and Sea”, for me it encapsulates how I feel about Aotearoa on many levels. I like it because I feel that is neither nationalist or patriotic but instead asks us how we connect more deeply to this place we call home in more fundamental tones. I am definitely Iwi before I’m a Kiwi in that respect.

One lesson we can learn from overseas:
Most of the world speaks more than one language. Learn te reo Māori. It grounds us to the place and history of Aotearoa it is a part of who we are.

My favourite place overseas:
Paris, France – I lived there, I dig that city.

My favourite place in New Zealand:
Cuba street, Wellington.

My message for International Kiwis:
Keep New Zealand Green for reals! Party Vote Green fam!

Follow Teanau on Facebook here.

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Click here to find out more on how to enrol and vote from overseas.

International voting is open until September 22 in person or September 23 (NZT) online.

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Candidate Kōrero #10: Eugenie Sage

In the run-up to the NZ election, we are profiling our Green Party candidates and sharing their messages with Kiwis around the world. Today we have a message from Eugenie Sage, candidate for Port Hills and number four on our list.

Current Role:
Green MP and Spokesperson for Environment, Primary Industries, Water, and Earthquake Commission.

My Area Of Passion:
Wild rivers and wild landscapes

My Number One Goal in Government:
Ensure that Kiwis are aware of our biodiversity crisis; that the government invests in conservation and works with councils and communities to protect the native plants and animals that are only found here in Aotearoa and we stop any species going extinct.

My favourite thing about being a Kiwi:
Our wonderful wild places and rivers

One lesson we can learn from overseas:
The UK planning system encourages compact cities and towns through “green belts” which protect the countryside from sprawling suburbs.

My favourite place overseas:
Dettifoss waterfall in Iceland and Denmark’s cycle paths.

My favourite place in New Zealand:
The Tarawera Falls where the river shoots out of a volcanic cliff.

My message for International Kiwis:
We can make our “clean, green 100% Pure” image real and look after our rivers and wild places. We can take action on climate change. We need your Party Vote to do that. Party Vote Green in 2017.

Follow Eugenie on Facebook here.

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Click here to find out more on how to enrol and vote from overseas.

International voting is open until September 22 in person or September 23 (NZT) online.

Candidate Kōrero #9: Mojo Mathers

In the run-up to the NZ election, we are profiling our Green Party candidates and sharing their messages with Kiwis around the world. Today we have a message from Mojo Mathers, candidate for Rangitata and number nine on our list.

Current Role:
MP spokesperson for Disability, Animal Welfare, Conservation

My Area Of Passion:
Animal welfare, disability rights and our amazing native wildlife!

My Number One Goal in Government:
A recent report highlights that 80% of NZ native birds species are in trouble. In government my priority would be to turn this around starting by significantly increasing funding for conservation.

My favourite thing about being a Kiwi:
Our wonderful wild places and rivers

One lesson we can learn from overseas:
Austerity economics drives social inequality and environmental degradation. Both have got worse in NZ under nine years of a National Government

My favourite place overseas:
I have strong family ties to South Cornwall, near Gorran Haven.

My favourite place in New Zealand:
My home in Peel Forest, South Canterbury!

My message for International Kiwis:
New Zealand has an incredible natural heritage that shapes our identity as kiwis. Only a vote for the Green party will ensure our native birds thrive and flourish and our waterways are cleaned up so that our children and grandchildren can swim in their local river.

Follow Mojo on Facebook here.

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Click here to find out more on how to enrol and vote from overseas.

International voting is open until September 22 in person or September 23 (NZT) online.

Candidate Kōrero #8: Teall Crossen

In the run-up to the NZ election, we are profiling our Green Party candidates and sharing their messages with Kiwis around the world. Today we have a message from Teall Crossen, candidate for Rongotai and number fifteen on our list.

Current Role:
Candidate for Rongotai and 15 on Party List

My Area Of Passion:
Environmental justice: climate change, biodiversity and rivers.

My Number One Goal in Government:
Legally binding commitment to reduce our domestic emissions to net zero by 2050, and a plan to get there.

My favourite thing about being a Kiwi:
The accessibility of our wild places, rivers, beaches, forests and mountains. All here on your doorstep. And I really love our food and wine.

One lesson we can learn from overseas:
Invest in public transport and cycling infrastructure to reduce our carbon emissions and make our cities easier to get around for everyone. I lived in Amsterdam for three years working for Greenpeace and fell in love with the cycling culture over there – giving colleagues a lift home from work on the back of my bike. Loved it.

My favourite place overseas:
Vancouver Island. Beautiful rugged beaches, surf, rainforest and amazing hiking/tramping.

My favourite place in New Zealand:
Wellington where I live. It has a little bit of the edge of New York, great places to eat, amazing coffee and I can walk through the town belt to my local beach. Magic.

My message for International Kiwis:
Party Vote Green for a NZ you can be proud of and that you want to come home to. And encourage everyone you know to too.

Follow Teall on Facebook here.

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Click here to find out more on how to enrol and vote from overseas.

Enrolment is open now and International voting begins on September 6.