Tanczos calls Greens 'Labour's dog' as runs for leadership

Nandor Tanczos

Nandor Tanczos has launched his campaign to be the Greens' new co-leader by saying the party needs to stop being "Labour's dog".

Mr Tanczos was one of four candidates to be named in the running for the job today.

The contest was sparked by the sudden death of former co-leader Rod Donald in November last year and Mr Tanczos only made it back into Parliament as a result of Mr Donald's seat becoming vacant.

He would be a controversial choice because of his stance on cannabis liberalisation and his description of Parliament as a "toxic hellhole".

Launching his campaign, Mr Tanczos told nzherald.co.nz: "We need to stop being Labour's dog and recognise that the left-right divide is no longer the significant political divide.

"The real issue is, how is New Zealand going to be a sustainable nation with a sustainable economy?"

The Green Party campaigned with Labour at the last election, only to lose out in the coalition building exercise which followed. Prime Minster Helen Clark made confidence and supply agreements with United Future and New Zealand First while the Greens were excluded.

He has in the past advocated allowing users and growers of small amounts of cannabis to face $100 instant fines rather than criminal conviction.

He said today that he did not think the cannabis issue was important and emphasised that he had moved away from fronting for the party on that policy.

But he conceded: "There is an issue of changing people's perception of me. There is a misconception of what I really stand for. That process is underway and is making some progress."
The other candidates announced today are David Clendon, Russel Norman, and former MP Mike Ward.

Mr Clendon is a lecturer in environmental management from Auckland and a member of the Green's national executive.

Brisbane-born Mr Norman has worked as an adviser and researcher in parliament since becoming resident in New Zealand in 1997.

Detailed information about each candidate is to be sent out to the party branches at the end of next week, including a DVD containing videoed interviews with each man.

The election of the new co-leader will occur at the party's annual conference at Queen's Birthday weekend. The party's constitution states there must be one female and one male leader.

"Considering the many and varied talents of the candidates, the party's decision on who will be its next co-leader and help to take it into the future will not be an easy one," party co-convenor Paul de Spa said.