Has any political party had a tougher year than the New Zealand Greens?
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The country's third-biggest political party has suffered a scarcely believable run of setbacks since the middle of 2023, when MP Elizabeth Kerekere left amid bullying allegations.
After losing its coalition government with Labour at the 2023 election as New Zealand swung to the right, the party first lost talismanic leader James Shaw, who opted to move on.
Foreign affairs spokeswoman Golriz Ghahraman then quit after being outed for shoplifting from high-end boutiques.
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 when she crossed the floor of parliament to scream abuse in the face of a government minister.
Ms Davidson's absence for treatment left sole co-leader Chloe Swarbrick at the helm to announce its latest bad news: another MP had been dumped from the partyroom.
Darleen Tana, elected in October's poll, found herself at the centre of allegations of migrant worker exploitation by her family's bike business.
After suspending Ms 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 oust Ms Tana from the partyroom and on Monday, Ms Swarbrick held a press conference to tell the public a message she had already given Ms Tana privately.
"Please resign," Ms 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."
Ms Swarbrick wouldn't be drawn on details of the breaches, but reporting alleges Ms Tana has been responsible for underpaying and ghosting workers.
Ms Swarbrick said she felt "utterly betrayed" by Ms Tana, who said she was considering her options after receiving the investigation's report.
"I do not feel that natural justice has been followed during this process, and at Saturday's hui it seemed clear that a pre-determined view had been formed," Ms Tana said.
"I do not accept the findings of the report and believe that it substantially misrepresents the level of my involvement in my husband's business."
The Greens are eager for Ms Tana to resign so she can be replaced by a fresh Greens MP, who would be the next-ranked candidate from the 2023 election: Hamilton-based student Benjamin Doyle.
During Monday's gruelling 40-minute press conference, Ms Swarbrick offered personal reflections on the past year, saying the challenges had brought her team 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."
Australian Associated Press
