David Hay's "strike action"

As reported in the New Zealand Herald this morning, Green Party leadership challenger David Hay announced today that he is going to withhold his voluntary contributions to the Green Party, until Russel and Metira resign.

"I have worked hard for the Green Party over the past seven years, and it has just kicked me in the guts" said Mr Hay. "I don't see why this party should continue to exploit my weekends, my evenings, and my annual leave and my financial contributions as they have."

"I will continue to do one thing: deliver leaflets for the Vote No to Asset Sales campaign, until it has run its course. I put quite a lot of effort into collecting signatures for the referendum, all through last winter, and I don't want that work to go to waste."

"I am not resigning from any of my current positions in the Green Party, I'm simply going to stop work, until Russel and Metiria stand down from parliament."

"I am currently the convenor of the party's Local Body Committee, which coordinated the party's nationwide efforts in the recent local government elections. I am also leading a review of the Green Party's broadcasting policy, and contributing to a review of its gambling policy. I shall stop doing work on any of these things" said Mr Hay. "I will be interested to see if the party decides on a lock out, by taking those responsibilities off me."

"I am also going to suspend my automatic payment to the Party of $50 per month. I have been a major contributor to the party over a number of years. I made a pledge of $2,600 to the Epsom Branch in 2010/11, on top of my regular contributions, and I part-funded my own campaign in Epsom."

"I expect other party members may feel some sympathy for my position at this time. I urge them to also continue with the Vote No to Asset Sales campaign."

"Other candidates need to be on their guard" said Mr Hay. "The current leadership have white-anted me. I was a contender for getting into parliament, at number 16 on the list, and I have been a long-standing, hard working and loyal party member. I suggest other members and candidates consider what action they might take to protect themselves from such treatment, now or in the future."

Attached: David Hay's Candidate CV and Self-assessment documents, as provided to the Candidate Selection Committee.

ENDS

2014_David_Hay_Candidate_CV.doc.pdf
2014_David_Hay_Candidate_Self_Assessment.doc.pdf

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