The Young Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand (or simply Young Greens) is the youth wing of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, and a member of the Global Young Greens. The Young Greens represent Green Party members 35 years of age and under. The Young Greens were founded by MP and then Young Green Gareth Hughes in 2006.
Activities
Campaigns The Young Greens have been involved in several different political campaigns, particularly around issues that affect youth. These include Keep It 18, which opposed raising the drinking age from 18 to 21; and petitioning parliament to ban conversion therapy, in a joint effort with fellow youth wing Young Labour.
Summer camp Each summer, a camp is traditionally held at Jeanette Fitzsimons' farm in the Coromandel Peninsula.
Structure
Executive The Young Greens have a national executive, consisting of two co-convenors, a secretary, a membership secretary, a treasurer, Pou Tikanga, two social media coordinators, a Global Young Greens representatives, an equity officer, and a campus co-ordinator.
Campus groups The Young Greens have a presence at New Zealand's largest universities. As of 2018, there are Young Green campus groups at 7 universities.
Office holders
Current members of parliament
Chlöe Swarbrick (2017–present) Tamatha Paul (2023–present)
Former members of parliament
Holly Walker (2011–2014) Gareth Hughes (2010–2020)
Co-convenors
2007 – Gareth Hughes 2008 – Gareth Hughes/Luke Stewart 2009 – Georgina Morrison and Zack Dorner 2010 – Holly Walker and Aaryn Barlow 2011 – Brooklynne Kennedy and Vernon Tava 2012 – Izzy Lomax-Sawyers and Jackson James Wood 2013 – Lucy Gordon and Philip Nannestad 2014 – Terri Gough and Zane McCarthy 2015 – Ana Martin and Zane McCarthy 2016 – Ana Martin and Ben Ogilvie/Ricardo Menéndez March 2017 – Meg Williams and Elliot Crossan 2018 – Mona Oliver and Max Tweedie 2019 – Kelsey Lee and Danielle Marks 2020 – Matariki Roche and Danielle Marks 2021 – Rohan O'Neill-Stevens and Lourdes Vano/Gina Dao-McLay 2022 – Gina Dao-McLay and M Grace-Stent 2023 – Caeden Tipler and M Grace-Stent 2024 – Caitlin Wilson and Donald Mayo 2025 – Lauren Craig and Maioha Hunt
Notable alumni Ricardo Menéndez March – Member of Parliament Rohan O'Neill-Stevens - Nelson City Councillor, Deputy Mayor of Nelson Holly Walker – Member of Parliament Gareth Hughes – Member of Parliament Vernon Tava – leader of Sustainable New Zealand Party Caitlin Wilson – Waitematā Local Board Member
Further reading The Young Greens holding space at the table – a short documentary following the group's co-leaders prior to the 2020 election
See also Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand Global Young Greens
Notes
References
External links