MEDIA RELEASE 14 October 08
Whale Rider star campaigns in London

Whale Rider star Rawiri Paratene will be in London this week to campaign for the Green Party. Rawiri, best known for his acting and directing abilities, is standing as a candidate for the Maungakiekie electorate.

He is campaigning for the Greens because he believes the party has a long-term vision for the future of New Zealand and the world.

“My message to people is to party vote Green, I say to people ‘Vote for your kids and your grandchildren – they will thank you for it’.”

Launching her candidacy is 29 year old Doctor Rebecca Redwood, originally from Auckland.

“Living in London is lots of fun; there is so much going on, but nowhere is as beautiful as New Zealand, or as fair. Standing for the Greens as a candidate is my way of trying to keep New Zealand as the beautiful, equitable place I remember and want to go home to," said Rebecca.

Rebecca brings to the team an in-depth understanding of health issues. “As a medical doctor I see how poverty can cause disease – the Greens are working to address the causes of poverty and ill-health.”

Campaigning with her will be longstanding Green candidate James Shaw, 35, a London-based leadership development consultant originally from Wellington. He is excited by both Rawiri’s and Rebecca’s candidacies.

“It’s great to have Rawiri and Rebecca on the team. The Greens are attracting top new political talent drawn from all sectors of society and all professions,” he says. “Rawiri is a terrific actor and has real standing with Maori and Pakeha alike. Rebecca is a medical doctor and a great campaigner. With so many Kiwis living overseas we can have a real impact on this election – and the strength of our London campaign is a reflection of how important this constituency is for us.”

ENDS

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