Green Party co-leadership race: The contenders

Green Party co-leadership race: The contenders
Photo credit: Getty/ Facebook

Green Party MPs Marama Davidson and Julie Anne Genter are competing for the co-leadership, a position left vacant after Metiria Turei stepped down.

It appears to be one of the most polite political battles we’ve seen - so what are the main differences between the contenders?

Green Party co-leadership race: The contenders
Photo credit: Facebook.

Marama Davidson

Age: 44

Current Position: Deputy Musterer, Spokesperson for Māori Affairs, Housing, Pacific Peoples, Disability, Ethnic Affairs, Auckland Issues, and Sport and Recreation

MP Since: 2015

Widely considered to be Metiria Turei's heir, Marama Davidson ticks many leadership boxes in the eyes of the party. She spent a decade working with the Human Rights Commission, giving her strong appeal with the activist wing of the Greens.  

Her lack of Ministerial role gives her the ability to be more openly critical of Labour and maintain an independent voice for the party. However, having only entered Parliament in 2015, her lack of political experience may work against her.

Green Party co-leadership race: The contenders
Photo credit: Newshub.

Julie Anne Genter

Age: 38

Current Position: Minister for Women, Assoc. Minister of Health, Assoc. Minister of Transport

MP Since: 2011

Having weathered two terms in Opposition, Julie Anne Genter is the more experienced pick for leader. The 38-year-old's ministerial roles give her a strong footing in policy and she is a fiery advocate for women's rights and transport reform. However, the younger and more radical delegates may see Ms Genter as too close to James Shaw's 'suit and tie' image. Her ministerial portfolios may also prove a double-edged sword, as she may be seen as too closely tied to Labour to fully advocate for her party.  

How the Party decides

As opposed to the straight majority caucus vote used by National when electing a leader, the Greens use a more egalitarian delegate system. Each branch of the party across the country puts forward delegates based on the size of their electorate, with no branch exceeding four delegates in total. The delegates then vote in their pick for co-leader, with the final announcement due April 8. 

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