speaking to media beside the Avon River, Prime Minister and former Greens co-leader imnofox expressed his party’s views about the Christchurch by-election

“Kia ora. Today I am announcing that the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is putting our weight behind our good friends in the New Zealand Labour Party. Throughout this term, the Labour Party has served strongly and faithfully in this coalition government, fighting alongside the Green party for economic, social, and environmental justice for all New Zealanders. Christchurch has had challenges, more so than most. The recurring earthquakes that have rattled this electorate and my own over the last decade have created social, health, infrastructure, economic, and even environmental challenges for the region. And yet in much of that time, and especially over the last couple of terms, this electorate has been practically ignored by a political party who sees local concerns and issues as secondary.”

“This electorate has been neglected, and this government has recognised that. Labour and the Greens have constructively worked together, implementing the Green Party’s vision for Christchurch. The extensive grant and loan given to the ChristChurch Cathedral rebuild venture really encapsulates that finally, after two long terms, Christchurch has a government delivering the rejuvenation and rebirth that the electorate has lacked, and wanted. In this last budget, we put millions towards the construction of two new rapid transit rail services, connecting the north and south to the city centre, and connecting the city centre with the airport via a new bus route. It’s time to get Christchurch moving again.”

“Christchurch has been neglected by the political right. They pop in every three years, express their love for Christchurch and it’s people, and then ignore it for the next three years until the next election comes around. Labour has a history of localism and putting people first, and I have no doubt that they’ll do the same here in Christchurch. It’s been great working with Youmaton in the other neighbouring electorate to deliver good progressive change for the South Island, and there’s no reason that Christchurch should be left with an MP who just won’t. It’s time to put people first in Christchurch, and a vote for Labour is a vote for Christchurch’s future.”

“A vote for Labour in this by-election is a vote for another progressive Labour list MP, bolstering the progressive caucus in parliament and in government. If you want a better environment, a strong social support system, a people-first economy, and a stronger progressive government, for this term and the next, then the only justifiable vote is for Labour. Reject austerity, reject neoliberalism, reject far-right fascism, and reject instability. Vote Labour in Christchurch.”

“Thank you.”