Immediately following an online session with Green members at which she said her role in the caucus had become untenable as a result of an inquiry into her behaviour that would stretch through the list ranking process, the MP Elizabeth Kerekere has resigned from the party. According to a statement from the co-leaders, Marama Davidson and James Shaw, the party will not enforce the so-called “waka-jumping” provisions and she intends to retire from politics at the election.
The statement reads: “Just after 8pm this evening, Dr Elizabeth Kerekere notified the Green Party caucus in writing that she has resigned as a Green Party MP and Green Party member effective immediately. Dr Kerekere has notified the Green Party Caucus of her intention to sit as an independent MP until the general election, when she will retire. As we said when the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Act was passed, we do not intend to invoke it if faced with that choice.”
At this evening’s Zoom meeting, Kerekere disputed allegations made against her relating to her interactions with staff and other MPs and insisted the “crybaby” epithet issued in a misdirected Signal message was intended for herself, rather than Chlöe Swarbrick. According to a source who attended the meeting, she criticised Davidson and Shaw directly and told members that the ongoing inquiry, which will not be complete before members vote on the party ranking, was a breach of “natural justice” and made it “difficult to continue my work” as an MP. The online meeting was cut short after about 10 minutes. As an independent, Kerekere is likely to be seated alongside another MP who has been described by the speaker as an independent for parliamentary purposes, Meka Whaitiri.
Announcing her resignation, the co-leaders said: “Our first priority as co-leaders of the Green Party is to our kaupapa, values, members, and our caucus. On April 5 2023, Dr Kerekere sent messages to a group of Green Party MPs and staff that appeared to fall short of these values. We were concerned that these messages were not isolated, but part of a pattern of behaviour towards staff and caucus colleagues. We requested that a formal caucus process be carried out to consider the matter. This process began in the days that followed Dr Kerekere’s messages on 5 April.”
Since then, they said, “a number of allegations surfaced about the conduct of Dr Kerekere towards other Green Party MPs, staff and members. As we have stated on numerous occasions, we committed to an internal process to look into these matters that was fair to everyone involved. Before that process could conclude, Dr Kerekere resigned as a Green Party MP and Green Party member. We have been informed that Dr Kerekere made a number of statements whilst addressing party members tonight that we consider to be untrue.”
The statement concluded: “We do not intend to address these tonight, but will do so over the coming days. We want to be clear that the Green Party’s important mahi continues … We wish Dr Kerekere all the best for her future.” The co-leaders are expected to speak to media tomorrow morning.