The Green Party has recycled its 2014 election slogan 'Love New Zealand' as it re-launches this year's campaign.
"It's been messy," said leader James Shaw. Photo: RNZ/Elliott Childs
The party restarted its campaign today after a tumultuous week which resulted in two senior MPs stepping off the list and its co-leader Metiria Turei resigning.
In a low key event, with just the top 20 candidates on the party list, Green leader James Shaw admitted the current campaign logo "Great Together" needed to change.
"To be frank over the last couple of weeks, we haven't been particularly together and it hasn't been all that great."
The past few days have been tough, but we’ve been through tough times before. I'm committed to leading us through this & to turning the tide
— James Shaw (@jamespeshaw) August 13, 2017
He then apologised to anyone who felt let down.
"We started talking about the problem of poverty in New Zealand. We ended up talking about our own problems. It's been messy."
Mr Shaw said reusing the 2014 slogan was a way to refocus the party and public.
"I really want to make sure that in the next six weeks New Zealanders know that we are still here.
"We are still the same Green Party with the same values and the same things we have always stood for ... We want to strip it back to basics."
He denied this was a response to criticism the Green Party had walked away from its climate change roots by focusing on social justice.
Mr Shaw said poverty would continue to be a focus for the party and Marama Davidson, who is now second on the list, will take lead of those policies.
He said it would be a party of a new leadership team which also consists of Julie-Anne Genter, lead on climate action, and Eugenie Sage, lead on clean water.
Metiria Turei wasn't at today's launch. James Shaw said she had had a tough couple of days.
"What we need to do now is focus on winning the election ... and I know she'll want that."
The Green Party said the new billboards with the new slogan will be rolled out across the country shortly.
