Green candidates seek party vote to try to accelerate climate change action
Green Party candidates will contest the 2023 general election in the Nelson and the West-Coast Tasman electorates. The Green Party has selected Tasman local, Steve Richards , to represent the party in the West-Coast Tasman electorate covering Golden Bay, Motueka and West Coast while environmental advocate, Jace Hobbs, has thrown his hat in the ring for the Nelson seat . Richards said he was standing to try to accelerate government action to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, and help communities build resilience. Only a strong Green voice in parliament will ensure urgency on this issue, he said. READ MORE: * Green Party expects to field Nelson candidate after withdrawal * 'F' words key to economic development in West Coast-Tasman: O'Connor * Jester House Cafe owner throws hat in ring for 2020 election The co-owner of the Jester House Cafe in Tasman aimed to build on his experience representing the Greens in West Coast-Tasman in the 2020 general election to really activate the Green Party Vote in the region. He hoped the Greens would reach at least 15% of the party vote in Octobers election having received about 12% in 2020, 7.51% in 2017, and more than 14% in 2014. The policy Richards was most keen to see progress, was a tax on capital; so the rich didnt continue to shirk their share of tax-paying obligations. He would also campaign for all New Zealanders to have access to warm, dry, affordable housing. The Green Party are the only party that have really got an eye on ... social justice and wealth and equality, and are the only ones talking about doing anything differently, he said. The other parties are all focused on business as usual and protecting the status quo. Hobbs said he was standing for the Nelson seat to promote the Greens progressive vision for New Zealand, and to ensure a great future for tamariki. This is a pivotal election ... in a pivotal decade. What we do this year is vitally important to our common well-being. This is the time to gather the public around our common interests in a stable climate and a productive transition to a low-carbon economy. Having more Green MPs in government would help New Zealand realise commercial and environmental opportunities from the transition, said Hobbs, who would also campaign for social equity. The Greens need to be at the table of government ... to bring vision and technical expertise around environmental and social issues that have led Labour and the nation into productive policy in the past. Hobbs, a zero emissions transport advocate, ran the Electric Bike Hub company in Nelson before retiring two years ago, and said he served on Auckland City Councils 30 year transportation plan.