New Zealand Green Politics: The Evolution of Blue-Green Alliances
The intersection of environmentalism and right-wing or centrist politics in New Zealand has long been a subject of speculation and strategic maneuvering. While the Green Party is traditionally aligned with left-wing ideologies, various attempts have been made to bridge the gap between ecological sustainability and the center-right National Party.
The Push for a National–Green Coalition
Efforts to align the National Party with the Greens have emerged from both grassroots movements and party leadership. A petition initiated by Clive Antony, a Christchurch-based organic fashion entrepreneur and National supporter, garnered over 3,700 signatures in favor of a National–Green coalition, although this movement was not officially authorized by either party.
In February 2018, then-National leader Bill English encouraged the Greens to collaborate on shared interests. English suggested that such cooperation would allow the Greens to achieve policy goals without relying on the Labour–NZ First coalition government. This move sparked speculation that National was strategically improving its relationship with the Greens ahead of the 2020 election.
When Simon Bridges succeeded English as leader, he explicitly stated that the Greens would be his preferred coalition partner for the next election. However, this overture was met with skepticism by Green co-leadership candidates Julie Anne Genter and Marama Davidson.
Despite these tensions, a brief period of parliamentary cooperation occurred in March 2018. James Shaw announced that the Greens would cede much of their primary question time in parliament to National. The goal was to ensure the Government was held to greater account and to avoid "patsy questions"—questions designed to make the government look good. Simon Bridges welcomed the move, noting it enhanced his effectiveness as an opposition leader.
The window for collaboration closed during the Greens' 2019 annual general meeting, where Shaw announced that the party had ruled out any coalition with National as long as Simon Bridges remained their leader.
The Rise and Fall of Blue-Green Parties
The concept of a "blue-green" party—combining environmentalist policies with right-wing or centrist economics—is not new to New Zealand. In the mid-1990s, two such entities emerged: the Progressive Green Party and the Green Society. Both were primarily composed of former Green Party activists who disagreed with the party's left-wing trajectory and its decision to join the left-wing Alliance.
Neither party found success in the 1996 general election. The Progressive Green Party received 0.26% of the party vote, while the Green Society received 0.11%, with neither winning any electorates. The Progressive Greens eventually disbanded, with many members joining the "Bluegreens" faction of the National Party, and the Green Society dissolved without contesting further elections.
| Party Name | Party Vote Percentage | Electorates Won | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Green Party | 0.26% | 0 | Disbanded; members joined National Party |
| Green Society | 0.11% | 0 | Disbanded |
The Sustainable New Zealand Party
Following the 2017 election, political commentators suggested that National's lack of potential coalition partners was a significant hurdle to forming a future government. This led to renewed speculation about a centrist green party. This momentum grew during the 2018 Northcote by-election when Vernon Tava, a former Green leadership candidate, unsuccessfully sought the National nomination.
Tava argued that the political landscape lacked a party with the environment truly at its heart. On November 10, 2019, he launched the Sustainable New Zealand Party. Paula Bennett, then-deputy leader of National, suggested the party could attract Green voters dissatisfied with the party's focus on cannabis over environmental policies.
However, the party failed to gain traction. In the 2020 general election, Sustainable New Zealand received only 1,880 party votes (0.07% of the total) and failed to elect any candidates. The party was officially dissolved on December 15, 2021.
Key Facts
- Grassroots Interest: A petition for a National–Green coalition received over 3,700 signatures.
- Leadership Shifts: Bill English and Simon Bridges both expressed openness to working with the Greens, though the Greens eventually ruled out a coalition under Bridges.
- Historical Failures: The Progressive Green Party and Green Society both failed to win seats in the 1996 election.
- Recent Attempt: The Sustainable New Zealand Party, led by Vernon Tava, was dissolved in 2021 after receiving only 0.07% of the 2020 party vote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Greens cede question time to National in 2018?
The Greens wanted to ensure the government was held to a higher level of accountability and to avoid "patsy questions," allowing the opposition to be more effective.
What is a "blue-green" party?
A blue-green party is a political entity that attempts to merge environmentalist policies (green) with right-wing or centrist economic and political views (blue).
Who was Vernon Tava?
Vernon Tava was a former Green Party leadership candidate who later sought the National nomination for the Northcote by-election and eventually founded the Sustainable New Zealand Party.
Did the Sustainable New Zealand Party succeed in the 2020 election?
No, the party was unsuccessful, receiving only 1,880 party votes (0.07%) and winning no seats before dissolving in December 2021.
Why did the Progressive Green Party and Green Society form in the 1990s?
They were formed by former Green Party activists who were unhappy with the party's left-wing positioning and its decision to join the left-wing Alliance.