Before the Green Party co-leader election, 1 NEWS spoke to successful candidate Marama Davidson and asked her 10 quick questions.
Which New Zealand celebrity would you like to be stranded on an island with?
Sonny Bill Williams – for purely political reasons! He often uses his celebrity platform and reach to uphold social justice.
Do you have a secret skill or game or sport you're really good at?
Ms Davidson was announced as the new co-leader today.
My champion Connect Four skills are well known in my family, albeit sometimes disputed.
When was your greatest disappointment in your parliamentary career?
Not getting more of our fabulous candidates on our list into Parliament at the last election.
Who is your hero?
Debbie Munroe and Liz Kiriona for their commitment to the people living rough on the streets in Manurewa.
Who is your favourite MP from the Opposition and why?
Former MP Chester Borrows, for his manaaki (support) towards me and his genuine commitment to Maori issues.
Not including anyone from the Green Party, who do you think is the toughest debater in the House?
I love watching Tracey Martin (NZ First) especially on education issues.
If you could go out to coffee with one other world leader, who would it be and why?
PM of Tuvalu Enele Sopoaga for the leadership that he and other Pacific Island leaders have shown, fighting for their islands against the rising seas of climate change, and challenging Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.
What spurred you to join the Green Party?
As an independent Maori women activist, I would speak publicly on environmental and social justice and I found I was singing from the same song sheet as Green Party MPs. I admired the dignified and courageous approach that the Greens had to politics.
And what made you want to be an MP?
Greens I was asked to stand in the Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election - I realised I had a huge opportunity before me to become an MP and use that political influence to push for the progressive changes our country and our world needs.
What do you think has been your greatest achievement so far?
Since I have been in Parliament I am proud to have put issues like Te Reo Maori in schools on the political agenda and to have gained the support of people right around the country who have been inspired to support and vote for the Greens for the first time.
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