Sudden death rocks Greens worldwide

SYDNEY - The death of Rod Donald will send shockwaves through the Green movement around the world, Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said yesterday.

"Like so many others, I have lost a good friend. I was shocked to hear the news," Senator Brown said.

"I spent some time with Rod during the New Zealand election campaign and he was hale and hearty, full of vim and vigour.

"It is shocking that he has died at 48 at the height of his political acumen and career.

"This will send shockwaves through the Greens internationally as Rod was known around the world.

"His efforts in bringing a fairer voting system to New Zealand and becoming co-leader with Jeanette Fitzsimons made him one of the most respected Greens in Asia-Pacific and indeed the planet."

Senator Brown said Mr Donald was "a magnificent Kiwi" and it was tragic that his political intellect would be lost to New Zealand and the rest of the world.

He said Mr Donald had visited Australia many times and assisted the Australian Greens with their campaign to save the Tasmanian forests.

"He was a great humanitarian and will be sorely missed on both sides of the Tasman."

Senator Brown said he would always remember Mr Donald and his trademark red braces.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, former NZ foreign minister Don McKinnon, said from London that Mr Donald was a committed parliamentarian and truly a people's representative. "He was a very real democrat who always remained totally faithful to his beliefs."

MadeNZ founder Judith Bell pledged to continue Mr Donald's commitment to a Buy New Zealand Made campaign.

"To that end, MadeNZ will continue to fight even harder to educate New Zealand consumers and politicians on the benefits and importance of supporting locally produced goods and services," Ms Bell said.

"Kia kaha. We will keep up the good fight."

- NZPA