Conference to honour Rod Donald

Late Green Party co- leader Rod Donald will be remembered with a tribute during the party's annual conference in Whangarei this month.

Mr Donald died in November from a viral infection that inflamed his heart.

The six Green Party MPs will be in Whangarei at the end of the month, attending a national conference of the party at Whangarei Girls' High School from January 27 to 30.

It will be the first time the party has gathered since Mr Donald's death and there will be a tribute to him during the weekend.

The party's annual summer conference will centre on policy and party development.

The public is invited on Saturday morning to the school hall to hear party leader Jeanette Fitzsimons and speakers from the Sustainable Business Network and GE Free Northland.

The public is also invited to a live music night on Saturday at the ASB Lounge at Kensington Stadium from 7pm.

Jazz musicians Daniel Waho and Hermann Otto feature in a diverse musical line-up, along with a juggler and fire poi exponents while organic beer and wine is on offer to go with GE-free food.

The evening is called 'solar rising' to celebrate the new budget and role for the Greens in leading the Government's solar panel and energy efficiency drive.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)