Greens yet to decide on coalition partner

ONE NEWS: The Greens hope their rise in the polls will put them in a powerful negotiating position come election time, but they are still refusing to reveal which of the major parties they might cosy up to.

The Green Party opted not to disclose their preferences at their conference on Sunday, saying they needed more time to see policies.

"We are keeping our powder dry. We will look at their policies and will make an announcement," said party co-leader Russel Norman.

However, they made no secret of their disappointment with Labour.

"It's certainly true that Labour, from our point of view, have not performed as well as we would have wanted them to perform," said Norman.

But the party did not express a preference for National, claiming that both parties are copping out on climate change.

Climate change and environmental issues have traditionally been the domain of the Green Party, but with the world now largely accepting and fearing the notion of climate change, the Greens ideas are being gobbled up by mainstream parties.

Party insiders also say Green MPs have been too caught up in their own pet projects and they need to have a sharper, more focused message in election year.

This message includes an attack "dirty dairying" with the proposal of a new tax on farmers who abuse New Zealand waterways.

In his address on Sunday, Norman outlined the resource levy for commercial water use which would see its revenue used to reduce rates and taxes.

He said it does not constitute privatisation, nor tradeable rights, but says those using a public resource to make a profit should pay a rental for its use.

"It's a discouragement to those people who're wasting water. But to those who are good at using water, they'll end up better off," said Norman.

The tax follows Saturday's conference agenda of food affordability which is shaping up to be the party's battleground issue for the election.

Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons proposed a cap milk prices so as to combat its soaring costs to consumers, and also called for a Commerce Commission inquiry into rising food prices.

Possible MPs

A job loss is on the cards for Kevin Hague, a potential future MP at number seven on the party list.

Hague, a senior public servant serving as chief executive of the West Coast District Health Board, says he is now negotiating with the board on what happens between now and the election, acknowledging he will have to step down from his role.

Hague says that will probably happen sooner rather than later, but believes he has been supported by the DHB up to now, and is grateful for it.

And, a man known for his involvement in web discussion groups is taking a tilt at parliament.

Software developer Mikaere Curtis can often be found engaged in political debate on the internet. A relative of the Curtis family, charged in connection with the death of toddler Nia Glassie, he has candidly and eloquently discussed abuse in his whanau and others on Public Address and other weblogs.

Now he is putting his money where his mouth is and is standing on the Green Party list, ranked at number 16.

He says it is a chance to get out and engage in civil discussions - something that doesn't always happen in internet forums.

Parliament is also noted for its rough-and-tumble nature, but Curtis believes he will be able to handle the heat if he gets there.