2020 Election Result: Greens Reveal ‘Constructive’ And ‘Fruitful’ Talks With Jacinda Ardern’s Labor Party

The co-leaders of the Greens do not say what role they will play in shaping the government, after a “fruitful” meeting with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this afternoon.

Co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson, as well as some members of their team, met with high-ranking members of Labor at Beehive.

The meeting only lasted about an hour, but it was clear that Davidson and Shaw weren’t interested in going into detail about what was discussed.

“We had some fruitful discussions,” he said. “What was on the table were Krispies and cups of tea and coffee.”

That was the most telling thing the couple told the media, who were gathered at the bottom of the Green Party parliamentary offices in Wellington.

Davidson said the Greens’ starting point revolved around “what we can do to make changes in the areas of protecting the climate, our environment and addressing inequality.”

This covers practically the entire electoral platform of the Greens.

Davidson, however, blurted out one thing when he said the Greens were looking to provide “support.”

“The main point for us is how we can support, where we can look for more action for the climate, the environment and our communities.”

This could mean that any work towards a coalition agreement, where the two parties would rule together, is off the table.

Davidson neither confirmed nor denied that this was the case.

49 percent of Labor meant the party could bring in 64 MPs, an absolute majority in the House of 120.

And the party could take a few extras when the special votes have been counted.

All this means that they do not need the help of any other party to form a government.

Davidson said the two sides would meet again next Tuesday to advance the talks.

Shaw and Davidson, along with the Greens chief of staff and a few other senior members of staff, met with the Labor team at the Beehive office in Ardern.

The Labor team consisted of Ardern, Kelvin Davis, Grant Robertson, Party Chair Claire Szabo, Chief of Staff Raj Nahna, and Senior Policy Adviser Holly Donald.

A spokesman for the prime minister said the talks were “constructive”.