Green crusader signs off after 14 years at helm

Jeanette Fitzsimons was elected Greens co-leader in 1995. Photo / Dean Purcell

Only a Green would describe visiting farmers to see how they handled their manure as an "indulgence" - but that's the treat Jeanette Fitzsimons said was in store for her when she signed off as the party's co-leader last night.

Ms Fitzsimons spoke to the Green Party membership on the first night of its annual conference last night - her final speech as co-leader before the party votes tomorrow to elect her replacement.

Ms Fitzsimons said she had spent 14 years as co-leader, and the party was in good health with a growing membership of 4000 and a strong parliamentary team.

It had come a long way since she was elected co-leader with Rod Donald in 1995 when party membership was 723 and there was a debate about whether leaders were needed at all.

"We are bigger, more professional, more experienced but what we stand for hasn't changed."

She said the party had been a "pioneer" under MMP, ranging from its agreement to abstain under Labour's last term in exchange for specific responsibilities to its narrow memorandum of understanding with National.

It was now time for her to step aside for "fresh energy and a fresh face".

But she hoped the party would stick to the principles it was founded on.

She was working on an "indulgence" of visiting farms to see how they were coping with issues such as reducing urea and fencing waterways to protect water quality.

The immediate aftermath of the 2005 election was one of her hardest times, a "reality check" on her belief that the Green vote would grow in each election.