Special Cause For Celebration

The Green Party is delighted to welcome Mike Ward to Parliament as its ninth MP, Co-leaders Rod Donald and Jeanette Fitzsimons said today.

"Mike has huge experience in local government and has achieved national recognition in arts and sport," said Rod Donald.

Mike, a former co-leader of the Values Party, spent four terms on the Nelson City Council, three terms as committee chair. He has competed in every Coast-to-Coast multi-sport event since its inception and won the "Man Unleashed" section in last year's Wearable Art awards.

"The seven Green MPs worked wonders in the last parliament and the addition of Metiria Turei (eight on the Green list) and now Mike Ward will bring new talents and new energy into an extremely diverse Green team," Rod Donald said.

Special votes have lifted the Greens by more than half a percent, up to 7 percent of the total vote count, the highest the party has ever achieved under MMP. It has confirmed Wellington Central as the "most Green" electorate, with 16.2% of the party vote, and has also pushed the Greens into second place, ahead of National, in Auckland Central, with 15.7 percent.

"For me, life can be extraordinarily enjoyable," said Mike Ward, who was swamped by well-wishers at the EcoFest in Nelson today. "And I hope my presence in Parliament makes is possible for the people in my community to get greater enjoyment out of their lives. I'm particularly grateful to the Nelson community for its support over many, many years."

"This is the second election where we've picked up an extra MP on specials," said Rod Donald. "In 1999 it was Keith Locke and that was a cause for celebration. Now, its Mike Ward - and we'll be partying tonight!"

ENDS

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