Darleen Tana ‘relieved’ after she’s ousted from Parliament
Darleen Tana is no longer an MP, with Speaker Gerry Brownlee this morning completing the final step in the process of removing her from Parliament.
Tana resigned from the Green Party earlier this year after allegations she knew about alleged migrant exploitation at her husband’s business. She had sat as an independent MP but the Greens decided to pursue their options under the 2018 waka-jumping law to remove her from Parliament altogether.
The party started that process in July, but it has only concluded today.
Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee today confirmed the decision to declare Tana’s seat vacant as he addressed the House before Question Time.
He said the matter had not been taken lightly, saying he had taken advice and considered the relevant legislation before he was satisfied the motion delivered by the Green Party leaders complied with the Electoral Act 1993.
Tana would not respond to the Herald’s requests for comment but told 1 News she would respect the Speaker’s call to give effect to her ouster.
“The party-hopping law doesn’t leave much wiggle room,” she said.
“There’s argument that some of it can be reviewable by judicial review, but no, I think because I’m also relieved somewhat that l no longer have to stand there and hold because ... had I resigned, that would have, in one way, been an admission of guilt and ... I wasn’t guilty.”
Tana said she learned the Speaker would remove her this morning.
“My reaction to that? In one part relieved, but mostly just thankful - thankful to all of my supporters who’ve held me thus far and continue to hold me even now, who know that I’m not guilty of anything, that I’ve not done anything wrong,” she said.
Last week, Green Party delegates agreed to sanction using the law to remove her if she did not resign. The final step in the process was the Speaker deciding to act on the will of the Greens, which he did this morning, gazetting a notice that Tana is no longer an MP.
Tana’s spot will be taken by the next person on the Green Party list, Benjamin Doyle. A statement from the Greens said Doyle would be sworn into Parliament in due course.
In a statement, Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said that last week: “185 Green Party delegates, representing our thousands of members across the country, came to unanimous consensus to put this request to the Speaker. This, of course, went well above and beyond the requirements in the law. We have always been and remain a proudly grassroots-led party”.
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James Wheeler
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Scott Palmer
Tory Whanau's standup is now over
Whanau won't resign
Scott Palmer
Whanau said she won't resign.
She confirmed the council would have to pay for the observer.
Whanau said, that while others have said this may be politically motivated, she was focused on delivering the best outcome for Wellington city.
Wellington airport decision
Scott Palmer
The airport decision brought out the worst behaviour of council members.
"Us as a collective, we could have done a lot better. It got pretty tense a few weeks ago."
Mayor wants more support
Scott Palmer
The mayor said she looked forward to the minister's recommendations on water infrastructure spending.
She said they are not dissimilar to other councils around the country and would like to see more support.
Whanau said other councils have shared a lot of support for her.
"I hope it doesn't set a precedent for other councils," she said.
"What I have seen in the past hour is punching down. We need assistance not punching down."
Whanau told her councillors that they should accept the intention and should work with Minister Brown.
She doesn't know who the observer may be.
When asked what "punching down" meant, she said other coalition partners have used colourful language.
Whanau not surprised by intervention
Scott Palmer
Whanau said she wasn't overly surprised when the intervention was announced.
"I welcome his intention to bring in an observer."
She said she doesn't accept there has been financial mismanagement at the council surrounding water infrastructure investment.
She said the council has increased water infrastructure spending during the past few years.
Tory Whanau stand up starts
Scott Palmer
The Wellington mayor said she has met with councillors to discuss the city's long term plan.
She said the minister has fairly pointed out examples where councillors have walked out of meetings.
She said the council has some tough decisions coming ahead in the next few months.
Whanau said she doesn't intend to cancel crucial plans for the city.
James Wheeler
Wellington City Councillor Geordie Rogers is looking forward to working “constructively” with an observer. Rogers is the most recent councillor to be appointed, winning his seat after a by-election.
Chair of Long-Term Plan Committee weighs in
Sophie Ryan
Listen: The Front Page on the state of Wellington City Council
Sophie Ryan
Last week, The Front Page podcast discussed the 'shambles' of Wellington City Council and if the issues are as bad as the Government has made them out to be with Georgina Campbell.
'Lowest point' of Andrew Bayly's career
Sophie Ryan
Bayly said the issue was that he had caused offence, he "got it wrong", and he apologised.
"It was given in a light-hearted manner, but unfortunately he took offence."
He had not made contact with the complainant but he did not have his contact. If he had contact, he said he would say he was "very sorry" for the distress he had caused.
Bayly said he was very passionate about his portfolio, and loved getting out and meeting businesses.
He didn't believe there were any other similar instances of similar behaviour that might emerge.
He didn't realise he had offended the complainant until he received the complaint.
He said he was not the type of person who walked around saying "horrible things" about people.
He said it was the lowest point of his political career by "a long way".
Bayly said he didn't consider resigning, and he was keen to continue in his current role and still had a lot to offer.
Detracting from what the Government was doing was the last position he wanted to be in, he said.
Mayoral statement on Crown Observer
Sophie Ryan
“The Government has informed me of its intention to install a Crown Observer to oversee the development of an amended Long-term Plan,” said Mayor Tory Whanau.
“I will shortly consider the draft Terms of Reference and discuss this decision with Councillors.
“It is my view that we accept this and work constructively with whoever is appointed.
“Ultimately, we all want a Long-term Plan amendment that delivers the best outcomes for Wellingtonians.
“We must use this as an opportunity to put past disagreements behind us and build a coherent plan that delivers for the people of Wellington.
“The decision not to sell our minority shares in the airport to resolve our growing insurance risk has meant we have some tough decisions to make in the coming weeks and months.
“I am focused on addressing our insurance risk without increasing rates. Additionally, I do not intend to cut projects that are critical for our city’s growth and sustainability. For me, that means protecting our social housing, and continuing funding for water and key climate initiatives.
“I will continue to work with Councillors in the coming weeks and months to put forward an amended Long-term Plan proposal that offers surety to Wellingtonians.”
Hipkins has questions around the appointment
Sophie Ryan
Chris Hipkins says the advice needs to be released. He says this is a “significant” step. If squabbling around the council table is justification, then perhaps they need an observer at the Cabinet table, he says
If they are going to appoint an observer in WCC there will be a lot of other councils the Government may be looking at, says Hipkins.
Observer won't intervene
Sophie Ryan
"It's about assisting the council and providing information to the Crown."
The observer was "another source of advice".
"I'm interested in the long-term plan being finalised over the next nine months in the best interests of Wellington ratepayers."
The observer will report back to Brown, but ultimately the council and the mayor are still responsible for all of the decisions.
Issues around resolution to long-term plan
Sophie Ryan
The council wasn't using its debt financing appropriately, Brown said, and while it was taking on debt for some things, 94% of its capital expenditure was coming from rates.
He said he had a "pleasant conversation" with Whanau and the council and the mayor had 10 days to respond.
She did not give him an indication of what action she and the council might take, Brown said.
"The problems that exist do warrant an observer," Brown said.
A key question is what the council's plan is to resolve the issues in its long-term plan.
Mayor has no intention to resign
Sophie Ryan
Mayor Tory Whanau told the Herald she had no plans to resign.
"I was elected to deliver for the people of Wellington, and I plan to work with councillors to deliver a solid Long-Term Plan. We will continue to do that work at pace”.
Concern for impact on ratepayers
Sophie Ryan
Simeon Brown said the government was concerned about the impact on ratepayers in the city.
The observer would assist the council as it works through its long-term plan, Brown said.
Simeon Brown appoints Crown Observer
Sophie Ryan
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has decided to place an observer on Wellington City Council following its decision to reopen its Long Term Plan.
Seymour reveals the new meals featured in school lunches
Sophie Ryan
David Seymour’s new school lunches programme will include chicken katsu, butter chicken, lasagne, chicken pasta salad and wraps.
The details of the Government’s cheaper school lunches are being revealed today. The lunches will be served in schools from Term 1 next year.
Benjamin Doyle to become List MP
Sophie Ryan
She expected there to be some consideration of how the process could have been improved for the future.
"This is growing pains, this is part and parcel of growing as a party."
She believed the Green Party was "a stronger force" as a result of the issue.
Ricardo Mendendez-March said he had spoken to Benjamin Doyle, who would replace Tana as the list MP. Swarbrick expected a small re-shuffle of portfolios as a consequence of the change.
She said the party was deliberately not the same as those of Labour and National with a more hierarchical approach and instead opted for "grass-roots" decisions. "That sometimes can be messy, it requires a lot more discussion."
Swarbrick on use of waka-jumping bill
Sophie Ryan
On the party's use of the waka-jumping bill, she said the party's opposition to that was historically based on concern about the power it gave to a party leader and that MPs could be kicked out purely because of a principled stance. She said the Greens had gone "above and beyond" to ensure the decision was made by members rather than just the leaders and to ensure it was "not a trigger-happy, go and spray it everywhere" decision.
She believed it was the most principled stance the party could have come to. She said if the same specific circumstances were repeated, it would use the law again but it had not had a broader conversation about its overall stand on the waka-jumping bill.
'Really sad situation'
Sophie Ryan
She said she hoped the party could now go back to focussing on issues, such as the planet and child poverty.
She said democracy was not always a tidy process and the Greens took democratic processes seriously.
"This is a really sad situation. It's not a situation any of us wanted to be confronted with," Swarbrick said. She said the party believed it was "crystal clear" that Tana had not been up-front or forthcoming about the situation and that had put the party in a position it had not faced before.
'Draw a line' under Tana saga
Sophie Ryan
Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick said the Speaker's decision on Tana "draws a line" under the issue. She said throughout the process, the party's founding values had been the guide and she was proud of the process followed.
"I can't begin to tell you what her actions might be from this point on, what I can tell you is everything we have done has been in line with our values."
She said the party was confident with its process and the Speaker had also been careful in deciding on it.
The main events happening in Parliament
Sophie Ryan
Darleen Tana is no longer an MP, with Speaker Gerry Brownlee this morning completing the final step in the process of removing to remove her from Parliament.
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Live coverage from Parliament today
Sophie Ryan
We're bringing Herald readers live coverage from all the stories in Parliament today.
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“Throughout this process, our founding values and principles have been our guiding star, and I am proud of how we have held true to those. This gazette from the Speaker today draws a line under the issue.
“Every single day, we have continued to fight for people and planet, and hold the Government to account on their cruel and destructive agenda. That mahi continues with the vigour our communities need and deserve,” Swarbrick said.
Tana did not respond to requests for comment. She is still reportedly appealing a High Court ruling from earlier in the year, which found the Greens had acted within the law in investigating Tana.
Tana’s ouster will mean a slight funding uplift for the Green Party because parliamentary funding for political parties is calculated on the basis of the number of MPs that party has.
Tana is the first MP to be removed under the new legislation, although another MP, Donna Awatere Huata, was expelled under a previous iteration of the law.
Thomas Coughlan is Deputy Political Editor and covers politics from Parliament. He has worked for the Herald since 2021 and has worked in the press gallery since 2018.