Kisses replace hisses for coalition partners

Helen Clark and Jeanette Fitzsimons put the past behind them yesterday and sent a clear signal they can work together as they joined forces on the campaign trail.

The Greens co-leader took up the Prime Minister's invitation to visit two Auckland schools with her to launch transport safety initiatives.

The detente was symbolically sealed with a kiss on the cheek when the party leaders greeted each other at Birkenhead Primary to launch the school's travel plan.

Asked if the Greens were Labour's preferred coalition option, Helen Clark said she had been signalling for weeks it preferred to continue working with those who had given it good support over the last two terms - the Progressive Party, United Future and the Greens.

Ms Fitzsimons pointed out the two parties had worked closely on transport issues.

Labour's policy to allow the commercial release of genetically modified organisms provoked the Greens to vote against it on confidence and supply most of this term.