13 September 2005

Whale Rider star to feature in Green campaign

Whale Rider star Rawiri Paratene will feature this week in the closing events of the Greens' election campaign.

Rawiri, an acclaimed veteran writer, director and actor, has been a Green Party member for three years and is keen to lend his mana to the call to Party Vote Green this Saturday. He will feature tomorrow in print ads in newspapers around the country, then appear in person at the Campaign Closing in Wellington on Thursday night and finally play a role in the TV closing address on Friday night.

"The reason I'm a member of the Green Party is because it is the only one looking to the future, it is not stuck on short-term goals," Rawiri says.

"They're the only party with a realistic eye on the energy crisis ahead. And I always vote with the environment in mind.

"I also believe the Greens could be the option for a lot more Maori this Saturday than we imagine," Rawiri says.

Co-Leader Rod Donald says the Greens are honoured to have Rawiri Paratene's up-front endorsement.

"Whale Rider opened the eyes of not only Kiwis, but people around the world, to the inter-relationships between humanity and other species, between generations and between Maori and Pakeha," Rod says.

"In person and in the character he played in that film, Rawiri personifies everything the Greens stand for. The fact that he's been a member of the party for three years speaks volumes about his commitment to sustainability, peace and social justice."

ENDS

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