The Green Party will have a new Female Co-leader by April 9, following the announcement today of an early special election for the position and a truncated campaign period of two months.
The Female Co-leader position has been vacant since Metiria Turei’s resignation in August last year. Green Party Co-leaders are normally elected annually at the party’s AGM but the party executive has decided to bring the election forward in order to fill the vacancy sooner.
“We are keen to get a new Co-leader in place as soon as possible. The party has decided to bring the election of the Female Co-leader forward, with nominations opening next Friday, closing the week after, and then moving into a shorter two month campaigning period,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw.
“The last Co-leader election was drawn out over a five month period and in hindsight was too long. Two months is plenty of time for the candidates to get out among the party members and for members to have their say.
“Like we did when deciding on joining the new Government, we will be using video technology extensively in the campaign, with video calls for members and delegates planned. We are excited about using technology in the campaign and giving all members a chance to connect with the candidates.
“I would advise Green Party member to make sure that their membership is up to date so that they can vote in their branch deliberations and they get to know the candidates and participate in this process.
“A lot’s happened in the period that I have been sole Co-leader, not least that we are now part of Government. It will be great to get a new Co-leader on board as we traverse our first term in power and start to implement good green change and grow our party,” Mr Shaw said.
The Co-leadership will be chosen by Green Party delegates, representing the party’s branches. Branches will have a number of delegates proportionate to their local membership size. The vote will use the single transferable vote system.
Election timeline:
Fri Feb 2 - Nominations open – all female current Green Party members are eligible to run
Fri Feb 9 - Nominations close
Mon Feb 12 - Full list of nominations announced, however candidates can individually announce their candidacy any time after nominations have opened and they've filed their paperwork
Sat Mar 3 - Co-leader candidate session at Green Party policy conference in Napier (open to media, details to be advised closer to the time)
Sun Mar 25 - All delegates Zoom (video) call with Co-leader candidates. This will be a virtual version of what normally happens at AGM with co-leader candidates giving speeches and answering questions from delegates
Mon Mar 26 - End of official campaigning
Mon Mar 26 to Sat Apr 7 - branch consultation and delegates cast their ballots
Sat Apr 7 - Balloting closes
Sun Apr 8 - Ballot counting and winner announced
