Summarised by Centrist
Herald NOW host Ryan Bridge confronted Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick, pressing her on her actions and rhetoric, which many argue contributed to Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ home being targeted by protesters.
Swarbrick condemned the attack on Peters’ home, but rejected any link between her words and the violence. She called the accusation a “complete mischaracterisation” and emphasised that the protest was legal.
“You’re the one who is constantly saying about the real-world damage that words can do and the effect that words can have on society, and here you are saying ‘from the river to the sea,’ saying these are cowards who are leading the government, and then we have real-world violence and you’re nowhere to be seen,” Bridge said.
Swarbrick replied, “I’m on your show right now responding directly to questions.” She then immediately distanced herself from the protests before pivoting to condemn Israel and call for sanctions. Swarbrick claimed frustration at the coalition government’s “lack of action” was driving public anger. “The responsibility does lie with those three men in charge of the political parties who are currently in charge of this country” she said, referring to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Winston Peters and ACT leader David Seymour.
Swarbrick also denied responsibility for inviting the woman, actor Acasia O’Connor, to a Green-aligned press conference, saying she “wasn’t aware” of her actions.
