Rod Donald | |
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1st Male co-leader of the Green Party | |
In office 1995 – 6 November 2005 Co-leading with Jeanette Fitzsimons |
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Succeeded by | Dr Russel Norman |
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Green party list |
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In office 1999 – 6 November 2005 |
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Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Alliance party list |
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In office 1996 – 1999 |
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Personal details | |
Born | 10 October 1957 |
Died | 6 November 2005 | (aged 48)
Nationality | New Zealand |
Political party | Green Party |
Other political affiliations |
Labour (1982–1988) Values (1974–1979) |
Domestic partner | Nicola Shirlaw |
Residence | Christchurch, New Zealand |
Rodney David "Rod" Donald (10 October 1957 – 6 November 2005), was a New Zealand politician who co-led the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, along with Jeanette Fitzsimons.
He lived in Christchurch with his partner Nicola Shirlaw, and their three daughters.
Donald held Values Party membership from 1974 to 1979 and then Labour Party membership from 1982 to 1988. On becoming national spokesperson of the impartial Electoral Reform Coalition from 1989 to 1993 he had to resign his party membership. After the success of the MMP referendum at the 1993 election he joined the Green Party in February 1994. After he became co-leader of the Greens in 1995, voters first elected him to Parliament in the 1996 election as an Alliance list MP.
The Green Party left the Alliance to stand alone in the 1999 election. He entered the 1999 parliament as number two on the Greens' party list. He retained his list seat in the 2002 and 2005 elections.
For many years Donald had a special interest in electoral reform in New Zealand. From 1989 to 1993 he served as spokesperson for the Electoral Reform Coalition during the campaign that led to the introduction of MMP. Subsequently, he played a major part in getting legislation passed to allow STV voting in local body elections in New Zealand. Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons described MMP as Donald's greatest legacy.