Greens co-leader Marama Davidson says any possible arrangement with National is a "live conversation" among party members, while warning they would have to shift a long way before her left-wing party could work with it.
Davidson made the comments on Q+A, in the first of the programme's leader interviews ahead of the election. She said the question was being discussed within the party.
"Those are live conversations that our members are talking about right now. But I think the point here is we have shown that we can work with any political party, including from opposition," she said.
"For example, we have got generations of Kiwis now living in warmer homes because of Jeanette Fitzsimons working with John Key. We can work with political parties where there is policy alignment, especially for public good.
"But over the whole, our members and our supporters know that the National Party policies are also harmful and are so far removed from where the Green Party is aiming, which is to prioritise the wellbeing of ordinary people over and above billionaires".
The party want to create a nationwide supermarket chain called KiwiMart, with 120 stores aimed at increasing competition and lowering grocery prices. (Source: 1News)
It came after interviewer Jack Tame listed a string of divisive coalition actions, including the Treaty Principles Bill, the Regulatory Standards Bill, pay equity changes, the reversal of the oil and gas exploration ban and the decision not to recognise a Palestinian state.
He noted many had been predominantly led by NZ First or ACT ministers, and that both parties were now backing the scrapping of the Waitangi Tribunal.
Tame asked whether the Greens had considered what they might've block had it considered working with National following the 2023 election.
He pointed out that, other than Labour, the Greens were the only party able to form a two-party arrangement at the time.
In response, Davidson noted the Greens' co-operation agreement with National in 2009, an arrangement which secured the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme.
"Unfortunately, National has been a cheer-waving, flag-waving server of billionaires and polluting corporate interests. They would have to come a long way, a long way before our membership — and the community [would support it]," she said.
Earlier in the interview, Davidson said the Greens would take their priorities "to the table" after the election if voters gave them enough of a mandate.
Candidate row
Davidson also defended former SAS soldier Josh Jacobson, a Green candidate facing an open letter that calls for his removal on the grounds that his military background conflicts with the party's commitment to non-violence.
She said she had been with Jacobson at a public meeting two nights earlier, where he spoke about his time on the ground in Gaza.
"He was looking for a party that would stand on its principles and call for an end to the genocide, call for sanctions on Israel and uphold Palestinian statehood. And we are proud to have him," Davidson said.
"What better advocate for peace can there be than someone who has actually been on the ground to see it?"
Davidson said Palestine would influence how some people voted in November, and that she believed some voters were turning to the Greens because of the party's stance.
"There are some out there who [are] primarily wanting to look for a strong voice on human rights and a strong voice against genocide," she said.
"There is still a genocide happening in the world, and we as humans cannot tolerate that. We have to be loud with our full throats as a country and say, 'That must stop.' We must recognise Palestinian statehood. We must sanction Israel for their behaviour".
Israel contests the description of its actions in Gaza as genocide.
For the full interview, watch the video above
Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air
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