“Pragmatic Idealist, Friend of the Earth and a Good Man”

NZ has lost an inspiring political figure with the death of Green Party co-leader Rod Donald. Donald died of a rare virus affecting the heart aged just 48. He will be remembered for his tireless campaigning in aid of human rights and fair trade, as well as for spearheading the introduction of MMP in 1993 and leading the national branch of Trade Aid. “Rod is the last person that you would expect to die suddenly like this,” says Donald’s co-leader Jeannette Fitzsimmons. “He was my political other half and we were complementary. Our strengths were different, our weaknesses were different and I shall miss him enormously.”

Rod Donald: 10 October 1957 – 6 November 2005