Bradford to take over Buy Kiwi-made

Green Party MP Sue Bradford will take over the party's Buy Kiwi-made campaign, which is backed by the Government.

The campaign was an initiative championed by former Greens co-leader Rod Donald and forms part of the party's support agreement with the Labour-led Government.

Ms Bradford said today that, following Mr Donald's death, the party had decided she would lead the campaign.

The Government had accepted Ms Bradford's nomination to take over the campaign, which will involve a marketing blitz, investigation of better ways to distinguish locally-manufactured goods, and increased use of New Zealand-made products in public service procurement.

Ms Bradford said she had already met Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard to discuss how the campaign would progress.

"While I am sad to be taking this campaign on in such circumstances, I'm also honoured and intend to pick up the challenge on behalf of the Green Party and Government and the NZ businesses and workers who will benefit from Buy Kiwi-Made," she said.

The party believes the campaign will improve New Zealand's balance of payments deficit as well as helping local producers and manufacturers and boosting jobs.

Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said the party's MPs had also reallocated portfolios in the wake of Mr Donald's death.

Mr Donald died earlier this month from a viral infection which inflamed his heart.

Ms Fitzsimons said she had taken on Mr Donald's finance and revenue portfolio, Keith Locke would be the party's trade spokesman and Metiria Turei would take over superannuation and tourism.

Nandor Tanczos would take on electoral reform, commerce and waste.

- NZPA