Green Party Announces Candidates For Dunedin And Taieri Electorates

Francisco Hernandez and Scott Willis have been resoundingly endorsed as the Green Party candidates for the Dunedin Electorate and Taieri Electorate respectively. The two sitting MPs made their case at a meeting of the Dunedin Branch of the Green Party in Dunedin on 1 February.

Dunedin candidate Francisco Hernandez said, “For the first time ever in the Dunedin electorate, I am excited by this opportunity to be asking the people of Dunedin for both their candidate and party votes. I have had the privilege of working for Dunedin over the past few years as a list MP. I have drawn on the skills that I’ve gained as OUSA President and as a public servant to be a strong advocate for Dunedin and all of the south.”

“I’ve been proud to stand with Scott to champion our city and region. We have stood up against cuts by Labour and National to the critical institutions in our city like the Southern Hospital rebuild and Otago Uni and Polytech.”

“A vote for the Greens is a vote for the real change that Ōtepoti and Aotearoa needs,” said Mr Hernandez. “Only the Greens will tackle the cost of greed crisis by taking action on this New Zealand First – Act – National Government’s corporate mates. We will make sure that people and planet have what they need to thrive.”

In his opening speech, Taieri candidate Scott Willis acknowledged supporters. “We are working for a more just future, a more healthy future, a more climate safe future and a more inclusive future,” said Mr Willis. “We’ve set out how in last year’s big policy announcements.”

“I’m particularly concerned by the increasing hardship we’re seeing in our community, with electricity prices rising 12% in the last 12 months, adding to the cost-of-living crisis. We know people are hurting and my bill to break the power company cartel is ready to be drawn.”

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“As someone who was born and studied in Ōtepoti Dunedin I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this amazing hard-working, resilient community” said Mr Willis. “Francisco and I will both continue to be strong voices for Government investment in the South Dunedin Future programme, for a Southern Hospital to serve our region for future generations, and for a strong, diverse and sustainable agricultural sector, so our rural communities can thrive”.

Co-convenor of the Dunedin Branch Bridie Lonie said, “We’re delighted to be supporting Francisco and Scott again. They have proved themselves to be extremely capable MPs. We look forward to having them both back in parliament after the election and again having two Green MPs based in Otago.”

Biographical details

Scott Willis

• Born in Ōtepoti Dunedin in 1969 (56 years old)

• Married (Jenna Packer spouse) and father to two sons

• MA (with Distinction) in Social Anthropology

• Stood as Green Party candidate for Taieri in 2020 and 2023

• Elected on the Green Party list in 2023

• Holds the following portfolios: Energy, Rural Communities, Dunedin Issues, Regional Development, Hunting and Fishing, Associate Justice (Firearms), Science Innovation and Technology, and Sports and Recreation.

Francisco Hernandez

• Born in Manila, Philippines in 1991 (34 years old)

• BA (Hons) and MEntr from Otago University

• OUSA Exec Member (2011-12) and President (2013)

• Stood as Green Party candidate for Dunedin in 2023

• Entered Parliament on the Green Party list in 2024 following the retirement of James Shaw

• Holds the following portfolios: Associate Climate Change, Tertiary Education, Public Services, Customs, Emergency Management and Recovery, Regulation, Small Business and Manufacturing, and Statistics.