Green Party loses another senior staffer

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said Andrew Campbell had overseen the recruitment process for his replacement and an appointment was expected soon. Photo / Michael Craig

The Green Party has lost its third senior staff member in as many months after chief of staff Andrew Campbell announced his resignation, saying it was time for "fresh legs" to take over his role after two elections.

Mr Campbell has held critical back-room roles in the party for the past five and a half years, first as chief press secretary and then as chief of staff after James Shaw took over the leadership from Russel Norman after the 2014 election.

It follows the resignations of chief press secretary Leah Haines for family reasons, and former communications director David Cormack who left after just six months in the role to set up a public relations company.

Mr Campbell denied the string of resignations was due to discontent in the Green camp. "It's the best job I've ever had. I love politics, I love elections but you get to a point where you need to take a break from it. That's it in a nutshell."

He did not yet have another job lined up but had made it clear to the Green Party after the 2014 election that he intended to leave, partly because he felt it was time for 'fresh legs' to take on the role after seeing the party through two elections.

He would not rule out returning to the Green Party in the future if it was in Government.

After 2014 he had agreed to stay on for six to eight months while Mr Shaw settled into the role and to oversee changes in the Greens' office. Those changes included Mr Campbell taking over from long-standing chief of staff Ken Spagnolo.

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said Mr Campbell had overseen the recruitment process for his replacement and an appointment was expected soon.

Mr Campbell had helped steer the party through two elections and was "a real asset" to the party, Ms Turei said.