Timeline: Greens lose MP amid year of challenging setbacks

admin admin | 07-08 16:20

Has any political party had a tougher year than the Greens?

Parliament's third-biggest party has suffered a scarcely believable run of setbacks since the middle of 2023 when MP Elizabeth Kerekere left amid bullying allegations.

After losing government at last year's election, as the country swung to the right, the party first lost talismanic leader James Shaw, who opted to move on.

At a press conference Chloe Swarbrick said it was clear Tana's behaviour fell short of that expected of an MP, and it was their "very strong view" she had misled her and co-leader Marama Davidson.

Foreign affairs spokeswoman Golriz Ghahraman then quit after being outed for shoplifting from high-end boutiques.

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Efeso Collins, tipped as a future leader, died after competing in a charity run a week after his maiden speech in February, while in June, co-leader Marama Davidson took leave after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Senior MP Julie Anne Genter brought disrepute to the party, earlier in 2024 when she crossed the floor to scream abuse in the face of a government minister.

Davidson's absence for treatment left sole co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick at the helm to announce its latest bad news: the departure of another MP from the partyroom.

Darleen Tana, elected last year when the Greens hit a record 11.6% of the vote, was engulfed by allegations of migrant worker exploitation by her family's e-bike business.

The party has confirmed Darleen Tana has been stood down after allegations of migrant exploitation at a business owned by her husband.

After suspending Tana in March, the party conducted a marathon four-month review which concluded she breached the party's code of conduct.

On the weekend, Greens MPs voted unanimously to request Tana resign from Parliament shortly after she resigned from the party. Swarbrick held a press conference earlier today to tell the public a message she had already given Tana privately.

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"Please resign," Swarbrick said.

"This investigation sets out multiple ways Darleen Tana's conduct has fallen far short of the expectations myself and Marama have as co-leaders, and of the values of the Green Party."

Swarbrick wouldn't be drawn on details of the breaches, but reporting by Stuff has linked Tana to allegations workers were underpaid.

It’s not clear if the party's co-leaders plan on sticking around, however, as Benedict Collins reports.

The Green co-leader said she felt "utterly betrayed" by Tana, who has yet to respond.

Under electoral law, she will remain in Parliament as an independent unless she resigns, when she can be replaced by the next member on the Greens list: Benjamin Doyle, a Hamilton-based candidate.

As well as calling for Tana's resignation and answering questions during a 40-minute press conference, Swarbrick offered personal reflections on the difficult year, saying her team had been brought together.

"This caucus has been forged in fire," she said.

"Despite the fact we have absolutely had a rough few months ... our MPs have been punching pound for pound above their weight."

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