Metiria Turei
Metiria Leanne Agnes Stanton Turei (born 1970) is a New Zealand member of Parliament and the female co-leader of the Green Party alongside Russel Norman.
As of 2013 she is the Green Party spokesperson on Social Equity, Education, Electoral Reform, Māori and Treaty Issues, Housing and Children.
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Early years
Between 1989–1991, Metiria was the Tumuaki o Te Iwi Maori Rawakore o Aotearoa and involved with Te Roopu Rawakore o Aotearoa. Metiria was a founding member of the Random Trollops performance art troupe.
Political career
She was a candidate for the McGillicuddy Serious Party in the 1993 election and for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party in the 1996 election.
Member of Parliament
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In the 2002 general election, the Green Party received 7.00% of the vote, which allowed them 9 seats in Parliament. Turei, standing in Tāmaki Makaurau, was ranked 8th on the Green Party's party list, and so entered Parliament as a list MP. When she was elected, Metiria left her job as a corporate lawyer for Simpson Grierson to become a Member of Parliament.
She retained her place in Parliament at number 6th on the Greens' list in the 2005 election when she stood in Te Tai Tonga.
2005–2008
In 2006, Turei's Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill was drawn from the member's ballot. The bill received a conscience vote at its first reading, but was defeated 84–34. Later that year, her Liquor Advertising (Television and Radio) Bill was also drawn, but it too was defeated.
In 2008 she was ranked 4th on the Green Party's list and stood in the Dunedin North electorate. She lost the election in Dunedin North to Labour's Pete Hodgson, finishing third with 11.09% of the vote. However she returned to parliament due to her high ranking on the Green Party list.
2008–2011
On 30 May 2009 Turei was elected as the fourth co-leader (second female) of the Green Party. In line with Green Party policy, there must be both a male and a female co-leader. She was elected ahead of Sue Bradford, a veteran MP, who had passed three private member's bills by then.
In July 2009 Turei's Marine Animals Protection Law Reform Bill, which would strengthen protection for dolphins and other marine mammals, was drawn from the member's ballot. The bill was defeated at its first reading later that month.
In September 2009 Turei led the Green campaign opposing the government's plans to allow mining in New Zealand's national parks. Her Crown Minerals (Protection of Public Conservation Land Listed in the Fourth Schedule) Amendment Bill, which aims to strengthen the protection for national parks, was drawn from the member's ballot in April 2010.
2011–2014
In October 2012 her Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 (Application to Casinos) Amendment bill was drawn from the ballot. Before its first reading however, National, ACT and United Future said they would not be voting for it.
Personal life
She has one daughter, and a partner; Warwick Stanton.
