Labour and the Greens have formalised their relationship – that's a good thing, I think. If you want to know what an opposition government looks like, then now you do.

Perhaps with one exception.

Winston. It's hard to see him being anything but kingmaker again, isn't it? But I think we've come to accept that. Such is his popularity. 

But Winston aside, Andrew Little has done what David Cunliffe failed to do ahead of the last election, and that's to clearly reveal what the backbone of an opposition government would look like. 

It's the right thing to do. It clearly signposts what you get if you vote left. Again, possibly with a side order of Winston thrown in.

However, while I think this is a good move for Labour, I question whether it's the right decision for the Greens. I have always felt the Greens should float -- and concentrate on half a dozen big issues, the core of the party's principals if you like -- and be prepared to work with both the left and the right. 

There is no party, no coalition match-up that represents the growing percentage of National voters who consider themselves Blue-Greens. I'm talking about a centrist voter who votes National and has probably always voted National, but does have some very real concerns about the environment and the future of the planet.

I think at times National has some good intentions when it comes to environmental issues, but the outcomes just aren't there. And this is where I think the Greens could add very real value. I don't think farmers, for example, are hell bent on destroying our land or our waterways for future generations, but what's the solution? And who is offering those solutions?

And this is where potentially I think -- with some compromise -- the Greens could be of great use. They could work with the government of the day to help create solutions. Solutions that won't kneecap our dairy industry, but at the same time will address issues that are damaging our rivers and waterways.

The status quo isn't working -- the Greens are yelling from the sidelines and so nothing changes. Nothing gets done. They would be more effective as a floating party that looks to address the issues at the core of the party's foundation principals.

I don't think the average National voter is dismissive of the environmental issues we face. I really don't. But at the moment, if you describe your politics as "Blue-Green" there is no possibility of a coalition to represent those values.

National and the Greens have worked together in the past and with some very real success -- the home insulation scheme created green jobs, and insulated over 200,000 poorly insulated homes.

That's bringing about change. It's improving Kiwi lives and that's effective, smart green politics.