Nandor Tanczos
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| Parl. | Electorate | List Pos. | Party |
| 46th | List | 5 | Greens |
| 47th | List | 4 | Greens |
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Nandor Tanczos (born 1966) is a member of the New Zealand Parliament, being a list MP for the Green Party. He is one of the more "colourful" of New Zealand's politicians, attracting both strong criticism and strong praise.
As of 2004 he is the Green Party spokesperson on Drug Law Reform, Information Technology, Justice, Tertiary Education, Treaty Issues, Urban Affairs and Youth Affairs.
Tanczos is known to the public primarily as the voice advocating the liberalisation of the cannabis law in New Zealand, although he is also active in campaigning against genetic engineering and in favour of restorative justice. He is also known as New Zealand's first and only Rastafarian MP.
Opinions of Tanczos are greatly varied. Political opponents have tended to categorize him as a dangerous radical, often citing his role as a spokesperson for the Wild Greens, a direct action group that claimed responsibility for uprooting a trial crop of genetically engineered potatoes in 1999. To others, he is regarded as a comic icon, not as an earnest, sensible politician. His supporters, however, reject both images of Tanczos, instead presenting him as intelligent, lucid, and constructive. Tanczos is generally more popular with younger voters than older ones.
Tanczos was first elected to Parliament in the 1999 elections, having been ranked in fifth place on the Green Party's list. His previous involvement with politics had been with the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party and before that, the McGillicuddy Serious Party. In the 2002 elections, Tanczos was ranked in fourth place, and remained in Parliament. In both the 1999 and 2002 elections, Tanczos also contested the Auckland Central electorate, winning 9.2% and 20.0% of the vote, respectively.
Tanczos completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences at Waikato University, and also has qualifications in permaculture and sustainable land management. He is a co-founder of Hempstore Aotearoa, a business that produces hemp-related products such as cosmetics and clothing.
In April 2005 the Green Party announced their list for the 2005 elections. Tanczos was placed 7th, moving down 3 places from from 2002.
Nandor was once at odds with the New Zealand Police over his continuing refusal to wear a bike safety helmet. He now has an official exemption, so he is legally entitled to ride without a helmet.
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The 1999 National Party Coromandel electorate campaign postcard
External links
- Green Party biography (http://www.greens.org.nz/people/tanczos_n.asp)
- Nandor's website (http://www.nandor.net.nz/)