Jack McDonald is from Taranaki iwi Te Whakatōhea, Te Ātiawa. He grew up on the Kāpiti Coast and is a former chair of the Paekākāriki Community Board.
Jack joined the Green Party at 16, motivated by the foreshore and seabed issue and the effects of climate change. Since then he has dedicated himself to the Green movement and realising the vision of having a Treaty-based environmental Party at the heart of government.
His whakapapa as a descendant of two traditions of non-violent resistance in Aotearoa – Parihaka and conscientious objector Archibald Baxter – means he has a deep, genuine connection to the Green Party charter and values.
Since 2014 Jack has worked for The Green Party as a Parliament staffer and the experience has given him an understanding and knowledge of the workings of government. He has coordinated a number of campaigns and demonstrated key skills in political strategy and planning.
Jack says he has relished the opportunity to serve in many Party roles, including on the National Executive, Negotiation Consultation Group and Te Rōpū Pounamu.
His most rewarding challenge was to learn te reo Māori as a second language learner. Jack is now a respected Green Party spokesperson in Te Ao Māori.
Jack’s goal is to strengthen our the Green Party Maori Caucus and ensure the Greens become a major player in Māori politics and he also aims to drive youth participation in politics.
“I have stood twice before in Te Tai Hauāuru, growing our vote each time. I’m standing again in 2017 to play a leading role in changing the government in 2017 and to elect a diverse, progressive Green caucus that will deliver on our shared kaupapa.”
