Pubdate: Sun, 02 Oct 2005
Source: Sunday Star-Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 Sunday Star-Times
Contact:  http://www.sundaystartimes.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1064
Author: Greg Meylan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Tanczos (Nandor Tanczos)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

RASTA LA VISTA BABY: TANCZOS BITES THE BULLET

The Greens have fallen short of getting another MP into parliament and
the house has lost its only Rastafarian member.

Nandor Tanczos missed out on returning to parliament as the Greens'
seventh list MP by 1246 votes after the special votes were counted
yesterday.

Tanczos said he had been optimistic of making it back and felt mixed
emotions at missing out.

"I did want to do another term, I have a lot of unfinished business
but at the same time I can spend more time with my family and I have
other things I want to do. I will still be involved in politics, of
which parliament is only one form, and not necessarily the best."

Greens co-leader Rod Donald said the failure of Tanczos to win a seat
was a big loss to the party.

"And not just because one more vote would have made a real difference
(to coalition prospects) but because he has contributed an awful lot
to parliament and worked hard.

"He helped to make it a genuine house of representatives by bringing a
lot of colour and a unique style," Donald said.

Tanczos said his proudest work was his clean slate legislation that
means people convicted of minor crimes have their criminal record
wiped after seven years without offending.

"It affected half a million New Zealanders and I have people coming up
to me on the street and thanking me for it," Tanczos said.

"My biggest disappointment is that we did not complete cannabis law
reform. There are 20,000 cannabis convictions a year and it's an
absolute waste of police and court time and young people's lives, for
what is essentially just a herb."

Tanczos said there was a certain irony that if a portion of the 5748
people who voted for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party had voted
Green, he an advocate for reform would have been back in parliament.

"But I have been really proud and humbled to be part of the Green
caucus and I really thank them for the opportunity. I am now going to
go bush for a little while, do some meditation, clear my head and see
what comes." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake