Green Party hits new high

Break out the organic champagne - the Green Party has signed up its 4000th member.

Melissa Morrison, a 29-year-old mother of two from Gisborne and active anti-GE campaigner, took the Green Party to a new membership high when she joined.

The party membership has rocketed from 600 people four years ago to 4000 today.

Green Party female national co-convenor Catherine Delahunty, also of Gisborne, said today the growth confirmed the party's shift from a small but effective party to a major political movement.

"We are a serious political force to be reckoned with, and we are gaining new members all the time," Ms Delahunty said. "We offer the only option for voters who want to stand up for key issues like the environment, sustainability, poverty eradication and equity."

Ms Morrison, a recent graduate currently working at the Trade Aid store in Gisborne, said today she joined the Green Party as she wanted to ensure the long-term wellbeing of her children, help ensure New Zealand remains GE-free and protect the environment.

"As a mother of young children, I want to know that New Zealand will be a prosperous and safe land for the future.

"Other parties see people as dollars and cents, but the Greens are more of a people party with a future vision."

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