The Tribe Cast

In an article entitled ‘Public Lives, Private Politics’, popular New Zealander’s revealed how they will vote in their elections.

Miriama Smith talks about her party of choice and why.

The full article can be read here.

The part featuring Miriama is below.

Miriama Smith

Miriama Smith has most recently been seen casting her votes for a more motley - and probably more appealing - array of contenders as a judge on New Zealand’s Got Talent.

The vivacious presenter and actor is a familiar face on the small screen, having appeared in Shortland Street and other local drama, and reaching the semifinals of Dancing with the Stars.

Now she’s joining fellow thespians Robyn Malcolm and Miranda Harcourt in publicly backing the Greens.

In the past, she split her vote - party vote to the Greens for its policies, electorate to Labour for the sake of consistency.

But this time, she’s giving two ticks to the Greens. It helped that the party has named Labour as its preferred coalition party.

“I felt confident in their conviction, they backed themselves and I wanted to back them. I watch people like Winston Peters - they all deflect, no one answers a question straight, it’s the tail wagging the dog constantly.”

Jeanette Fitzsimons’ performance at the recent leader’s debate clinched it for Smith. “She stands her ground, she knows her policies. She was one of the few leaders who didn’t deflect questions, she just puts it out there.”

She still holds Helen Clark in high regard. “She’s been a great leader - she’s got command, she’s unfaltering”.

But it’s the Greens’ long-range vision for sustainability, and its consistency that won Smith’s allegiance.

“The Greens stick with what they believe in; it’s not policies of convenience, it’s policies of passion.”

She believes New Zealand can’t afford not to pay the initial price of carbon taxes and redirecting funding to projects such as sustainable housing and public transport.

“Initially there’s got to be an upheaval for improvement in the long term. It’s like anything: you’ve got to adjust. But it’s all about the long-term plan. Because of what’s happening with climate change and everything we’ve got to reverse those processes anyway.”