The Newhaven Party was founded in 1997, but never stood any candidates in either state or federal elections. Instead, it has tried to achieve its aims through peaceful campaigning. It became famous when it organised a boycott in Newhaven of products from the Joplings supermarket. Put under severe pressure, the owner, J.W. Grindon, Jr., was forced to sell the two Joplings stores in Newhaven to the Newhaven Party. They were renamed Lizard. The incident was widely publicised and both supermarket and store became popular with the inhabitants of Newhaven. Shares in Lizard were divided between members of the party, and many people became members simply to own shares.