Sue Bradford is anxious ahead of the release of her new book - detailing her career and turbulent past.

The life-long activist and former Green MP credits her success, to sticking to her guns.

Ms Bradford said her book, titled Constant Radical, reveals her journey to the Beehive wasn't smooth after battling with addiction and sexual abuse.

She told Mike Hosking the book has been in the works for 10 years.

"The reality of it coming out is hitting home now. There is some degree of apprehension on my part about so much personal stuff coming into the public view."

Bradford is downplaying a return to politics.

But she said she hopes her project will propel dramatic left-wing thinking into the next election.

"Part of our work over the last couple of years has been encouraging debate on the left about what a new radical party or parties might look like, both outside parliament and inside."

LISTEN ABOVE AS SUE BRADFORD SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING