Press Release
9 July 1999

The Green Party has decided to stand two candidates in the vast West Coast-Tasman electorate.

"We believe the largest general electorate in the country deserves two candidates, both because of its size and because we want to thoroughly communicate our policies to West Coasters," said Green Party Co-Leader Rod Donald.

The Party announced its constituency candidate earlier this year. He is Richard Davies of Takaka who contested the seat at the last election, polling 10 percent of the electorate vote.

Pat McNamara of Westport has now been confirmed as the Party's second candidate. He will stand on the party list only.

Mr McNamara is married with two children. He is secretary of the Buller Conservation Group, treasurer of Westport Harriers, a member of the Buller Urban Design Committee, is involved in Buller Green Dollars and is a Native Forest Action activist. He stood for the West Coast Regional Council in 1995 and 1998.

Rod Donald says Pat McNamara epitomises Green values: "He is a committed environmentalist who has been at the forefront of conservation debates during the 18 years he has lived in Deniston and Westport.

"Pat is a high-profile opponent of Timberland's desecration of the Buller rainforests, featuring as the daring tree-squatter in Native Forest Action's "E tu, E Tane" (Stand up for the Forest) poster. He is also an avid cyclist although he admits to owning a ¼ share of a car!"

Pat McNamara says the West Coast has a bright future if the local economy can wean itself off resource depletion and move to a truly sustainable footing.

ENDS

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