The fundamental philosophies underpinning the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand are twofold: to promote sustainable economic growth that is in harmony with the natural environment and to work towards a fair and just society. People are beginning to understand that Neoliberal economics, the pursuit of individual wealth at any cost, feeds upon rampant consumerism and is ultimately unsustainable. It is little wonder these same people are looking to the Green approach as a desirable alternative.

Recent polls indicate the number is steadily increasing. It is not surprising therefore attacks on individuals, such as Dr Ian McLean and the Green Party in general, are becoming more strident.

Recent letters from Mike Kuipers von Landes and M Houlding are very good examples of this. Baseless innuendo and attempted character assassination are reminiscent of the darkest moments of the McCarthy era in the USA of the 1950s. They have no part in New Zealand's democratic tradition. I doubt either letter writer, mentioned above, is aware of a single Green Party policy and yet insinuate in their letters they're steeped in it.
Rather than indulge in these name calling exercises, better suited to school playgrounds, the writers should read some serious research, such as ‘The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better' by Wilkinson and Pickett, in which it is argued: 'A fair society is an essential part of our wellbeing”.

Or, just as beneficial, take a look at John Pilger's ‘Hidden Agendas'.
D Parish, Waihi.