James Shaw –
This is my first column for Indian Newslink, and hence it is appropriate to start by introducing myself. I was recently elected Co-Leader of the Green Party of New Zealand, along with Metiria Turei.
It is an enormous privilege and a huge responsibility.
Russel Norman, who most of you will know, has left some big shoes to fill, but I am very excited to start building on his legacy in the Green Party.
Planning mode
My first few weeks as Green Party Co-leader have been a whirl of media interviews, re-organising our office with Metiria, and planning for the future. It’s also been a very steep learning curve.
We in New Zealand are very lucky to live in such a melting pot.
All you have to do is walk down our streets to see that we have clearly gone from being a bicultural country to a multicultural oasis.
Without leaving our shores, we can enjoy the cuisine and culture of pretty much every country in the world. Being a big foodie, that excites me a lot!
Better understanding
I know that the Green Party needs to get a better understanding of New Zealand’s migrant communities. We also need to learn how to communicate better with them. More importantly, we also need much greater representation of migrant communities in the Green Party.
Migrant communities have a lot of the same issues as communities that have been here a while, but there are also some unique issues.
I want the Green Party to speak to and listen to all of the New Zealand.
This is why, as Co-leader, I will be endeavouring to spend more time in Auckland and the regions, so that we are in touch with everyone.
Our branches and my office are always open to listening to the issues. In the end, we all want a better New Zealand for the next generation. We want to leave this country in a better place than how we found it.
I look forward to working with you towards that common goal.
James Shaw is Co-Leader of Green Party of New Zealand. The following appears on the Party’s website:
Mr Shaw has a vision for New Zealand, where every home generates more energy than it uses, where every vehicle emits nothing more noxious than water, where every industry restores and replenishes more than it consumes. He is committed to combating climate change. One of his biggest accomplishments was helping to start PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Sustainable Business Services practice and getting the firm involved in the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Mr Shaw was raised by his solo mother and, later, her and her partner. Their values – and their sense of humour – is a source of inspiration for James.
