Greens gear up for election year

28 January 2002

The Green Party intends to stand candidates in all 69 electorates at this year's general election, Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said today.

Speaking at the conclusion of the Green Party's Summer policy conference in the Coromandel, Ms Fitzsimons said the selection process was well advanced.

"We already have 29 people confirmed in the candidate selection pool and will confirm many more over the next few months."

In 1999 the Greens contested 50 electorate seats.

"The qualities of hard work, enthusiasm and determination shown at this conference fill me with optimism of significantly increasing the Green vote at the next general election," Ms Fitzsimons said.

"There is a particularly talented bunch of younger candidates pushing forward, which can only bode well for the future of the party."

The policy conference, which was attended by more than 170 provincial members and by observers from the Green parties of Nepal, Canada and Korea, ended today.

A wide range of policies were workshopped, ranging from the Treaty to children's issues to Waste Free New Zealand.

"The policies are looking good," said Jeanette Fitzsimons, "and we have the people to deliver them.

"The Greens have never been more prepared."

[ENDS]

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