A Gentle Radical

A Gentle Radical by Gareth Hughes tells the story of Jeanette Fitzsimons—a visionary, pioneer, and radical who challenged the dominant political paradigms held by National and Labour. This narrative chronicles her journey against the political mainstream and her role as co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand from 1995 to 2009, where she served as a member of parliament from 1996 to 2010.

Jeanette Fitzsimons was highly regarded, being the first, and until recently, the only Green MP to win an electorate seat. Her sudden and unexpected death in 2020 left a gap in the political landscape. Despite her unique contributions to political history, much of her personal story remains untold.

Through this book, discover how Fitzsimons, coming from a conservative rural family, found herself at the forefront of radical political thought and ascended to the front benches of Parliament. Explore how she became the world's first Green MP to secure an electorate seat and how she navigated the brutal world of politics, even enduring the death of her co-leader, Rod Donald. Learn about the inception of the world's first national Green Party in New Zealand and Fitzsimons' vital role in its formation. Delve into her political philosophies and her perception of the Green Party's evolution post her leadership.

Jeanette Fitzsimons’ life was a tapestry of political drama, offering invaluable lessons on navigating politics, adversity, and triumph. Her example stands as a beacon, more relevant today than ever before.

Sunday Star-Times hails the book: “Hughes has done an excellent job. A Gentle Radical is fascinating, inspiring.”

The Spinoff commends it for its depiction of parliamentary dysfunctions and epic love stories, complemented by a cast of quirky and dastardly characters.

NZ Listener describes it as “An articulate tribute to a woman of unquestionable mana.”

Newsroom praises its historical account of Fitzsimons' efforts in addressing the energy crisis: “It's a thrill to read the way that being made intellectually aware gave [Fitzsimons] the purpose of mind to see the future and try to change it.”