Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand

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Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand
Co-ConvenorsLauren Craig
Maioha Hunt
Founded2006;19 years ago (2006)
Ideology Green politics
Political position Left-wing Left-wing extremism Socialism
International affiliation Global Young Greens
Mother party Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
Website
younggreens.org.nz

The Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand (or simply Young Greens) is the youth wing of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, and a member of the Global Young Greens. The Young Greens represent Green Party members 35 years of age and under. The Young Greens were founded by MP and then Young Green Gareth Hughes in 2006. [1]

Contents

Activities

Campaigns

The Young Greens have been involved in several different political campaigns, particularly around issues that affect youth. These include Keep It 18, which opposed raising the drinking age from 18 to 21; [2] and petitioning parliament to ban conversion therapy, in a joint effort with fellow youth wing Young Labour. [3]

Summer camp

Each summer, a camp is traditionally held at Jeanette Fitzsimons' farm in the Coromandel Peninsula. [4]

Structure

Executive

The Young Greens have a national executive, consisting of two co-convenors, a secretary, a membership secretary, a treasurer, Pou Tikanga, two social media coordinators, a Global Young Greens representatives, an equity officer, and a campus co-ordinator. [5]

Campus groups

The Young Greens have a presence at New Zealand's largest universities. As of 2018, there are Young Green campus groups at 7 universities. [6]

Controversies

In 2025, Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul and Young Greens Member called for the abolishment of the police, after saying visible police presence made some people feel unsafe, and criticising beat patrol officers for allegedly targeting Maori, Polynesian and Homeless people [7] . The comments sparked outrage from many including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and even Chris Hipkins Leader of the Labour party. Paul defended her views saying it was the experience of marginalized groups. The Sensible Sentencing Trust later ran a controversial billboard campaign using Paul’s image with slogans like “Defund da Police.” [8] The Greens pushed back, saying their policies were being misrepresented.

Office holders

Current members of parliament

Former members of parliament

Co-convenors

Notable alumni

Further reading

The Young Greens holding space at the table – a short documentary following the group's co-leaders prior to the 2020 election

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Our History | Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand". Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "Youth wings pressure MPs to keep drinking age at 18". The New Zealand Herald . 6 November 2006. ISSN   1170-0777 . Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "Young politician: 'You can't treat homosexuality or bisexuality'". Radio New Zealand . 19 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "Our History | Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand". Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  5. ↑ "2018 Executive | Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand". Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  6. ↑ "Campus Groups | Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand". Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  7. ↑ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  8. ↑ Dexter, Giles; Reporter, Political (7 April 2025). "Billboards attacking Green MPs appear in Wellington and Auckland". RNZ. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
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