Darleen Tana appeals High Court ruling in favour of Green Party

Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Ex-Green MP Darleen Tana has appealed a High Court ruling that the Green Party had acted lawfully when it launched disciplinary action against her, but the party says that will have no effect on its waka-jumping meeting to be held this week.

Last month, the High Court rejected claims by Tana that the Greens’ disciplinary process was unlawful.

That process was sparked by a Stuff investigation in March into exploitation claims against the e-bike business owned by Tana’s husband, Christian Hoff-Nielsen, by two migrant workers, which prompted the Greens to suspend Tana. Tana said she didn’t know about the allegations.

Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said the party had received notice that Tana was appealing the ruling.

“This does not affect our party’s plans to hold a Special General Meeting this Thursday to discuss the potential use of provisions in the Electoral Act to remove Darleen Tana as a Member of Parliament.”

Justice David Johnstone had thrown out Tana’s claim that the Green Party acted unlawfully in launching disciplinary action against Tana.

Justice Johnstone’s decision means the Greens are free to invoke the so-called ‘waka jumping’ legislation to force Tana out of Parliament completely.