James Shaw to stand for Green Party co-leadership

Green Party MP James Shaw. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Who is James Shaw?

• The newest contender for the Green Party co-leadership.
•The first-term MP has previously worked as a management consultant for for firms including PricewaterhouseCoopers.
• Joined the Greens aged 20, and says he has the appeal to "overcome the fears" of those who considered but decided against voting Green at the last election.

A first-term MP with a corporate business background has joined the race for the Green Party co-leadership.

James Shaw promises that despite his inexperience as an MP, he is the "right person at the right time" for the job.

The MP said he was convinced he could widen the party's support, enabling it to address the key issues of climate change and inequality.

"The co-leaders are the most visible face of the Greens and need to appeal to a wide range of people.

"We need co-leaders that can win those people over, who can overcome the fears of the 28 per cent of voters who considered voting Green in 2014 but did not."

Mr Shaw entered Parliament after the last election and previously indicated it was too soon to contest the leadership.

But this morning at a press conference on Wellington's Cuba Mall Mr Shaw confirmed a change of heart.

The 41-year-old previously worked overseas as a management consultant with firms including PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he helped start the company's sustainable business unit.

He will face off against front-runner Kevin Hague, Gareth Hughes and Vernon Tava for the position that will be vacated by Russel Norman in May.

Mr Shaw said he had grown the Greens' vote in Wellington Central from 21 per cent to almost 30 per cent.

Referencing his relative lack of political experience, he said Mr Norman became co-leader before entering Parliament, and the Greens' other co-leader, Metiria Turei, was experienced and effective.

Mr Shaw said he joined the Greens as a 20-year-old. He has previously formed the London branch of the party, helping to secure a significant expat vote in 2008.

"Achieving a bigger, stronger and more effective Green Party is not about years in Parliament and yelling contests in the debating chamber.

"The Greens need new energy and thinking if we are to grow as a party," Mr Shaw said. "I am the right person, at the right time, to do this job."