Future New Zealand Press Release
For Immediate Release
Friday, 25th January 2008

New Name & New Leader

The Board of Future New Zealand has today announced that the Party has both a new name and a new leader.

The new name “The Kiwi Party” has been notified to the Electoral Commission for formal registration in preparation for this year’s General Elections.

Following the resignation of Independent MP Gordon Copeland as co-leader, the Board has also confirmed Tauranga based former MP Larry Baldock as the Party Leader.

Mr Copeland will continue to serve on the Board of The Kiwi Party.

Party Secretary/Vice President Bernie Ogilvy said that Gordon Copeland’s huge contribution to the establishing of the party in the last 8 months could not be overstated. In accepting his resignation as co-leader the Board affirmed that Gordon would continue to play an integral part in the Party’s future. The Board fully understood and supported his decision to focus his tireless efforts within Parliament as an independent MP.

Mr Ogilvy said that after observing Larry Baldock leadership abilities in bringing about the two citizens initiated referenda to collect over 270,000 signatures to date, the Board was completely confident that he was well prepared and experienced to successfully lead the party into this years election.

ENDS