James Shaw says Marama Davidson is a remarkable, considered and "pretty rock and roll" leader.

Shaw has a new partner to help uphold the Green Party's election promises.

He says Davidson's from a different background and history to him and will make her own mark.

Shaw says told Kate Hawkesby the party has a history of choosing a leader to drive the party forward.

"They often make quite counter-intuitive choices, like me for example or Russel Norman, or Metiria Turei over Sue Bradford."

LISTEN ABOVE AS JAMES SHAW SPEAKS TO KATE HAWKESBY