Greens’ investigation expected to take weeks

Monday, 18 March 2024

The independent investigation into suspended Green MP Darleen Tana is expected to take weeks, The Post understands.

Tana was suspended last week following media inquiries from Stuff, after an allegation of migrant exploitation at a business owned by her husband. A worker came forward claiming the business owed him $25,000.

Green Party coleader Marama Davidson said last week that it had come to their attention “that Ms Tana may have had some prior knowledge of the allegations”. The party became aware of the allegations on February 1, but remained quiet until last week.

The Green Party then launched an investigation to be run by independent barrister Rachel Burt.

Davidson said they had “been quite clear that we want this to be done as quickly as possible for everyone's benefit, but also making sure that it's fair and robust and upholds natural justice processes as well'.

The investigation is expected to take a matter of weeks, rather than days.

Tana has welcomed the investigation and intends to fully cooperate.

Prior to March 14, Davidson said the party, “only on good faith conversations and own questioning through the process, were confident that a mediation to resolve matters was appropriate and that there was no prior knowledge or involvement about the allegations for Darlene herself”.

“All of the complaints were related to years before she became an MP and to do with years where she was not a director or shareholder of the small business. And again, they were referred to mediation for resolution,” Davidson said.

“We had it on good faith that Darleen was not involved or had prior knowledge.”

Tana’s husband, Christian Hoff-Nielsen, denies all of the claims.

He said the complainant was “using the position my wife is now in to make it seem somehow that something is owed, so he can create a bit of a stir”.