Clendon to stand for Greens in Northland

Green Party list MP David Clendon will stand for the party in the Northland electorate again in this year's general election.

Kerikeri-based Green Party list MP David Clendon has been selected to stand for the Northland electorate for the party in this year's general election.

Mr Clendon won unanimous support at a meeting of Green members from across the electorate last weekend. As an MP since 2009, he is the Green's musterer (parliamentary whip) and carries portfolios including criminal justice, tourism and sustainable business.

His iwi affiliations are to Ngapuhi and Te Roroa, and he comes from a family with a long history in Northland.

"The Greens will be campaigning this year on real issues that matter to people, including protecting our land and waterways; creating opportunities for families to do well; and building stronger and more resilient regional economies," Mr Clendon said after his selection.

''There is some truth in the old joke about the government turning its back on Northland in 1841, and ignoring it ever since. Northland people deserve better. It is long past time the government fulfilled its promises to provide the infrastructure that will support and enable local efforts and initiatives.''

The Greens' party vote in Northland last election was in line with the party's national average of 11 per cent, and Mr Clendon said he is keen to improve on that.

"We have a good campaign team already in place, a strong policy platform, and will be working hard to attract support for a change of government," he said.

Mr Clendon stood for the party in Northland in the 2014 election and polled 3639 votes, placing him third. The Greens did not stand a candidate in the electorate for the 2015 byelection in the seat.

While Prime Minister Bill English has yet to set a date for the election, it must be held by November 18.