Fitzsimons to end 14-year reign

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons will resign from the position at the party's annual meeting in June.

Ms Fitzsimons confirmed the decision to the Waikato Times this morning.

"I was always going to announce it, it was just a matter of timing. The party's in good shape, so the time is right." The Thames-based MP will step down from the role she has held for 14 years and continue the parliamentary term as a backbencher.

"You have to think about the best time for the party, and the future of the party. [Co-leader] Russel [Norman] has got a lot of experience already and he's doing exceptionally well." She was reluctant to take credit for the party's success over the past decade, despite being in charge during its rise from a voluntary organisation to the third largest party in parliament.

"I"m just privileged to have been the first elected Green MP, but the success of the party has been down to the hard work of thousands of people over the years." Ms Fitzsimons wasn't sure about what she would do after parliament, but vowed she would continue to fight for the issues she has stood for her whole life.

"I think I'll just enjoy more time with the family. They've sacrificed so much. It'll be nice for them, too, instead of saying `where's nana' or `where's my wife' all the time." Under party rules, Ms Fitzsimons' replacement must be a woman. Current female Green MPs are Sue Bradford, Metiria Turei, Sue Kedgley and first-termer Catherine Delahunty.

It is understood that only Bradford and Turei will put their name forward. Nominations for the female co-leader position are not limited to MPs, but to anyone who is registered with the party.

Stepping down now would give Ms Fitzsimons' replacement time to settle in and raise her profile ahead of the 2011 general election.

Current party co-leader Russel Norman, who was not an MP at the time, took over from Rod Donald, who died suddenly in 2005.

In 1999, Ms Fitzsimons became the Green Party's first electorate MP after breaking the National Party's stronghold on Coromandel, narrowly defeating incumbent MP Murray McLean, but only after special votes were counted.

The win helped cement the party's position within parliament.

- © Fairfax NZ News