Russel Norman

Wellington, May 30 NZPA - Green co-leader Russel Norman lashed out at Labour and National in a speech to party faithful in Dunedin today.

Dr Norman, who is standing in the Mt Albert by-election, delivered a campaign-style speech criticising the two major parties in New Zealand.

The party is holding a conference this weekend and yesterday elected list MP Metiria Turei over colleague Sue Bradford to replace Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons who today stepped down from the position.

Ms Fitzsimons, who came to Parliament in 1996, has been co-leader for 14 years. She plans to retire from politics at the 2011 election.

Dr Norman was returned as co-leader.

He praised Green achievements including its negotiations with the Government for a fund to insulate homes.

Focusing on the proposed super city to replace several local councils in Auckland, Dr Norman characterised it as "grand theft Auckland".

He said developers, speculators, road builders and the like were working to be freed of regulation and elected councillors and under the "uber council" Auckland's assets would be privatised.

"Melissa Lee (National list MP standing in Mt Albert) was right when she said people are coming along the motorway to steal our stuff," Dr Norman said referring to a gaffe Ms Lee made during the campaign when she suggested a new motorway would divert south Auckland criminals elsewhere.

"But they don't come from South Auckland, they come from Auckland airport, they don't wear balaclavas, they wear suits; and they don't drive beat up Subarus, they are driven in Crown limousines."

Dr Norman said Ms Lee, who has repeatedly apologised for her remark, had come to represent incompetence and prejudice in the National Party.

"The ridiculous statements about south Aucklanders, the motorway bulldozed through a neighbourhood, the forced amalgamation of councils... If National persists down their current path they may know themselves out of government by alienating all of Auckland."

Labour were also in the gun.

Dr Norman said the party's rhetoric did not match its actions in areas including treatment of animals, public transport, overseas aid, poverty reduction, and resource management.

"I could go on but you get the drift... Labour is bereft of ideas."

The Greens had a vision of renewable energy, healthy food, investment in sustainable technology and science, he said.