The Green Party has selected Teanau Tuiono again as their candidate in the Palmerston North electorate for this year's general election and Bernard Long for the Rangitīkei electorate.

Currently a second term MP, Tuiono is excited to be running again.

Tuiono says

“I’m definitely keen for another round — there is so much more we need to do. We have solutions to protect our climate, restore nature while also ensuring everyone has got enough to put food on the table and keep the lights on.”

“It has been my privilege to be spokesperson for a range of portfolios from space, spies, and defence through to workplace relations and foreign affairs along with oceans and Pacific peoples. They keep me busy,” he said.

He is also the Green Party’s first Assistant Speaker of the House.

"I love Palmerston North - this is where my wife and I raised our tamariki - and it is a great place to call home. We can’t afford another three years of the current direction the coalition government is taking us. I’m asking people to join us to make this a one term Government and put the Greens at the heart of the next Government,” Tuiono says.

Former financial planner, Bernard Long, is the Green Party candidate contesting the Rangitīkei electorate. An artist and political activist based in Waitārere Beach and well known in the Horowhenua, Long previously ran a financial advisory business in Levin and Palmerston North.

A regular columnist in the Levin Chronicle on personal financial planning, Long says, “My work gives me an insight into the financial stress that many families face.” He believes that Aotearoa has all the resources to support everyone to live a decent life, and says this can be achieved through the Greens Income Guarantee. “This income guarantee for all will ensure that everyone out of paid work or studying can make ends meet while between jobs or studying. This, and other measures will be paid for by a fairer tax system,” he says.

Apart from struggling families, Long’s biggest concern in the electorate is the continued prosperity and resilience of our farming sector. He says agriculture is a significant contributor to income in the electorate and “is at risk from extreme weather events, loss of export markets and the growing of pine forest on arable land.”

“Reckless disregard in rolling back climate crisis initiatives puts our farmers at greater risk from both adverse weather events and loss of overseas markets.” He also says it is critical we honour our obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement as these are binding and enforceable obligations under the UK and EU trade agreements.

Long says, “A vote for the Greens is powerful, a vote for the Greens will set the direction of the next Government.”

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