KEY POINTS:
It's the sort of bittersweet irony that would have led the late Greens co-leader Rod Donald to seek solace in his famous homemade organic apple cake: while the Greens were poised to secure more MPs than in 2002, they will once again be left out of Government.
Members of the party faithful at the Greens reception in Wellington last night were upbeat but philosophical about missing out on Cabinet positions while recording an increase in support.
"It's not so much about not being in Cabinet," said one. "What we're worried about are some of the issues we've managed to take forward."
Co-leader Russel Norman said: "I think, for the Greens, it solidifies our place as the third-largest party; as the only party to get over 5 per cent aside from Labour and National. I think that that is the position we have long sought and I think that's good."
The Greens were a little frustrated with the presidential-style focus on Helen Clark and John Key but Norman said "with eight MPs at least, next time it will be easier for us to be part of the frame".
Having already ruled out helping National form a Government, it was hardly surprising that by Friday the Greens had started spinning a more optimistic line about the virtues of another three years in Opposition.
"The Greens have never been in Government," said co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons when asked about the importance of Cabinet roles this time, "and look at how much influence we have had all the same.
"Regardless of who is the Government and what our relationship is, having more MPs increases our influence."
Yet MPs entering their fourth term on the Green ticket will be sadly aware they have once again missed out.
What's left is to work with National on environmental issues. National will not want to alienate the increasingly important Green-thinking constituency.
