Kerekere quits Greens

Written By: - Date published: 8:46 am, May 6th, 2023 - 65 comments
Categories: election 2023, greens, political parties - Tags:

This is unfortunate.  Elizabeth Kerekere has announced that she is quitting the Green Party, will stay on as an independent and not stand again at the next election.

From Craig McCulloch at Radio New Zealand:

Under-fire MP Elizabeth Kerekere has resigned from the Greens after earlier hitting out at the party’s co-leaders over their handling of an investigation into her behaviour.

Kerekere – a first-term MP – has been under internal review since last month when she was caught speaking ill of her colleague Chlöe Swarbrick in a message sent to the wrong group chat.

Since then, multiple sources close to the party have spoken to RNZ anonymously, criticising Kerekere’s broader treatment of caucus colleagues and staff.

In a statement issued to media late Friday night, Green co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw said Kerekere tendered her resignation shortly after 8pm.

“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,” the statement said.

The co-leaders said they would not use the waka jumping provision to eject Kerekere from Parliament, in keeping with the party’s position when the law was passed.

“We have been informed that Dr Kerekere made a number of statements whilst addressing party members tonight, that we consider to be untrue.

“We do not intend to address these tonight, but will do so over the coming days.”

Kerekere criticised the party leadership in her statement to Green Party members about the matter.  Again from Radio New Zealand:

The development comes after Kerekere spoke to party members in a conference call on Friday evening and accused Davidson and Shaw of dragging out an investigation into her behaviour.

In a roughly 10-minute address, the Tai Rāwhiti-based MP criticised the weeks-long process and said the co-leaders were making it very difficult for her to continue working in the party.

She claimed a fellow MP had purposely leaked the group chat messages and said the Greens’ processes were not well-suited to “bad-faith actors”.

Kerekere told members she had apologised unreservedly to Swarbrick for her remarks and admitted she had been envious of her colleague when she wrote: “Sucks that her bill goes through during list ranking!”

But she said her follow-up comment – “omg what a crybaby” – had been misinterpreted and was meant in a self-deprecatory manner towards herself.

RNZ has been leaked a new screengrab of the group chat conversation which shows one of Kerekere’s initial responses on the night: “I am sorry I wrote down crybaby.”

The comment goes on: “I am jealous Chloe [sic] has a bill going up during list ranking because it’s great timing and I genuinely hope my bill gets pulled tomorrow.”

Speaking on Friday evening, Kerekere told members she categorically denied any allegations of bullying.

To be frank I have a great deal of sympathy for Kerekere.  Her original text was unfortunate but the leaking and timing of the text, the coordination of multiple members to speak anonymously and even the leaking of this news from last night and the revenge leaking of the apology text suggests a rather concerted campaign against her.

And happening during the Green Party list process you have to wonder if the motivation was to reorganise the final list.

And she is right about the handling of the complaint.  Something like this needs to be dealt with quickly and decisively.  Otherwise she is left hanging and damaged at a time when decisions about her future are being made.

I suspect John Tamihere has been busy trying to locate her cell phone number to have a chat to her.

This will I am afraid not help the Greens nor for that fact Labour.

The waka jumping legislation will not be used which is appropriate given the Green’s fundamental opposition to it.  But I wonder if there is a temptation to rethink this.

65 comments on “Kerekere quits Greens ”

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  1. bwaghorn 1
    6 May 2023 at 9:04 am

    ""The waka jumping legislation will not be used which is appropriate given the Green’s fundamental opposition to it. But I wonder if there is a temptation to rethink this.

    I can't see how a list mp gets to stay on, shes got no electorate ffs.

    Ditch her give some else a taste of government before the election

    • weka 1.1
      6 May 2023 at 10:45 am

      I'm in two minds. One the one hand, she can use the rest of the term to finish up work she is doing rather than leaving suddenly. On the other hand, if she left now, Steve Abel would come in on the list, giving him some time in parliament before the election, and more profile during the election campaign (this would be a very good thing for the Greens).

  2. Tiger Mountain 2
    6 May 2023 at 9:24 am

    The Greens have long had one of the most open–and convoluted–candidate selection processes among NZ parliamentary parties. Apparently voting rights were conferred in 2020 for identity interest groups, which assisted the good Doctor’s rapid rise.

    Some long time Greens are happy to languish in lowly list positions to make up the numbers. The final rankings will show where the party majority is at really.

    • weka 2.1
      6 May 2023 at 10:46 am

      Apparently voting rights were conferred in 2020 for identity interest groups…

      what does that mean?

      • Tiger Mountain 2.1.1
        6 May 2023 at 11:21 am

        Got the impression from social media comments that factions get an extra bite in the selection process, and this article…
        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/efeso-collins-among-list-of-likely-green-candidates-for-2023-election/NE4S33V6VFDSTF7GSSCHQYTZRA/

        happy to be proved wrong, am not a member now, was in the “EcoNation” days when Nandor and Sue were there, and still vote Green.

        • weka 2.1.1.1
          6 May 2023 at 11:29 am

          sorry, I still don't know what you mean. Do you mean that in 2020 they changed the selection process? And this gave more power to identity politics?

          • Tiger Mountain 2.1.1.1.1
            6 May 2023 at 2:16 pm

            I can’t put it much clearer, the Greens are painstakingly balanced down the levels to co-conveners etc. and most parties and organisations have sectors which is fine, unless they are ignored or engage in “special pleading”, diverting from the main focus, which is where some prominent Greens have been heading imo.

            “There are a number of identity or interest-based networks across the party. These include:

            • Green Women
            • Inclusive Greens (a network for members living with a disability)
            • Pasifika Greens (a network for members with ancestry)
            • Rainbow Greens (a network for LGBTQIA+ members)
            • GreenLeft (a network for left wing & anti capitalist members)
            • Te Roopu Pounamu (Māori network)
            • Union Greens
            • Young Greens”
  3. Francesca 3
    6 May 2023 at 9:29 am

    For me the crybaby txt is the least of it .Her behaviour flouting covid regulations, while Greens covid spokesperson,her visible contempt towards those submitting in good faith on the self ID legislation, and her part in destabilising the Greens leadership re Shaw nominations has led to my view of her as a divisive force.

    She's better off being out of parliamentary politics and instead focusing on the activism she espouses

    • Bearded Git 3.1
      6 May 2023 at 10:29 am

      Thanks for that Francesca…I didn't know she had been involved in the behaviour you describe. How she could expect a high list ranking after undermining the party leadership beggars belief.

    • weka 3.2
      6 May 2023 at 11:00 am

      It wasn't hard for me to believe there's been a history of issues. She comes across as a liability for the Greens in election year, and this has been confirmed by what she's done in the past few days. Whatever politicking has been done behind the scenes (on both sides as far as I can tell), and whatever unfairness to her in that, she is damaging the party on her way out the door by her current actions and that confirms she is not a good fit. Incredibly tone deaf to what happened in 2017.

      There's room for criticism of Genter and Ghahraman in their reactions to the texts/messages in the house on the day. They must have known that they were in camera shot behind Swarbrick. That was just fodder for the MSM hounds. Not acceptable from experienced politicians in election year, I hope they all sort their issues out and focus on what matters. I'm glad this happened now and not in a few months time.

      It's means to be the climate election. The other issue is whether Kerekere would have pushed gender ideology and that derailed the election into the sex/gender war. The MSM would have a field day and it had the potential to cost the Greens big time. Maybe the left as a whole.

    • Shanreagh 3.3
      6 May 2023 at 11:02 am

      Agree with this Francesca. The list of concerns goes far further back than the 'crybaby' text though the text seems to be on par with the reception that many submitting on the Self ID provisions received.

      While the investigation has taken a while and this is bad, this does not seem to me to as egregious as her prior behaviour. I feel that perhaps selection procedures need looking at in the Greens as well as everywhere else.

      To me she espouses the concept of a mean girl.

      https://www.verywellfamily.com/signs-of-a-mean-girl-460512

      Having been a an all girls boarding school for 5 years you get the ability recognise these types and avoid them, if you can. But sometimes they just come for you…….as she was probably doing to Chloe Swarbrick who is typical of the type that was high on the mean girls' radar.

    • Sabine 3.4
      6 May 2023 at 1:42 pm

      yes, that was a right spectacle of privilege in the hand of arrogance. Good riddance. May someone better – and in this case that can literally be anyone – gets the spot.

  4. weka 4
    6 May 2023 at 11:04 am

    just realised that many GP members will already have voted on the list ranking (28 April to 12 May), so what happens to that process now? What a mess.

    • Belladonna 4.1
      6 May 2023 at 3:07 pm

      I have no idea of the actual process in the Greens. But common sense would dictate that if any ranked member is suddenly unavailable, all those ranked below would just move up one space.
      Members can very conceivably become unavailable due to a whole raft of reasons – anything from health onwards.

      Much the same happens to the next placed list member when a list MP retires during the term – the next on the list has the opportunity, but sometimes declines, and the offer goes on down the list ranking until someone accepts.

  5. Peter 5
    6 May 2023 at 11:56 am

    One of the complications with the Kerekere situation is the same as that in the Guarav Sharma one. Reality and truth are secondary.

    Immediately problems were obvious everything Kerekere and Sharma said and claimed were going to have gold standard quality attributed to them.

    Not to do with knowledge or rational analysis but because doing that would mean trouble for their respective parties. Sharma could make stuff up, claim anything and it would equal, "They are all scum, they have treated me like I'm scum."

    It may have been best if right from the outset with indications of questionable behaviour, the 'system' had rallied and said, "Bugger off, you're acting like an arse."

    Bullying is common in workplaces and organisations, it's not right and should be handled. And there is arrogant shithouse behaviour from which individuals which is tolerated on and on in workplaces until the environment there is poisoned. All I can do is observe. I reckon the mass of the other people in the groups Kerekere and Sharma were attached to are well shot of them.

    • Incognito 5.1
      6 May 2023 at 12:40 pm

      Nope, Sharma and Kerekere are completely different situations. Sharma went all out and ballistic, attacking many people in a kamikaze manner while Kerekere stayed quiet until now. Note that Kerekere’s message was leaked.

  6. Psycho Milt 6
    6 May 2023 at 12:38 pm

    I see this as fortunate, not unfortunate. It makes it a little less likely that I'll cast a spoiled ballot this year, for one thing. The only voter demographic Kerekere appeals to is fellow Queer Theory extremists, which is not an electoral advantage. Te Pati Māori would be made to take her on.

    • RedLogix 6.1
      6 May 2023 at 12:49 pm

      TPM fast becoming the dustbin of Parliament, a refuge for malcontents and ethno-state radicals united only in their sense of resentful entitlement.

      Ya gotta think Tamihere is going to have his work cut out paddling this waka in a straight line.

      • Psycho Milt 6.1.1
        6 May 2023 at 2:21 pm

        Yes, Whaitiri's departure from Labour was a shambles. I get the feeling that having blown her chances of a leadership role in Labour, she's looked at the polls pointing to TMP being kingmaker after the election and seen it as a better vehicle for her personal ambition. I wouldn't be keen to endorse that with my party vote.

      • adam 6.1.2
        6 May 2023 at 3:25 pm

        Waaah, Waaaahhhh, Waaaaahhhhh.

        Poor wee babies of the beige tory fear mongering sect.

        It's too hard to have actual politics, so lets bad mouth everyone we disagree with, so we can feel safe…

  7. Incognito 7
    6 May 2023 at 12:58 pm

    I agree with the OP that the process has taken way too long.

    Justice too long delayed is justice denied

    • MLK 1963 –

    My impression of the Green Party is that they are so adamant on following principles of fairness and natural justice that they get dragged down by time-consuming trivia that don’t serve political expedience and efficiency. This, in turn, leaves an impression of an ineffective neutered political ‘faction’ that is more show than substance. If I were an arch-pragmatist, I would not vote for the Green Party.

    • weka 7.1
      6 May 2023 at 2:07 pm

      the bit I find odd about the timeframe is the lack of explanation. The Greens are usually more transparent than this. In the end we don't know if the timeframe makes sense or not.

      • Incognito 7.1.1
        6 May 2023 at 3:47 pm

        Apparently, they were still going through the process, whatever that process entailed. Undoubtedly, this delicate situation needed to be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality. But the communication was handled poorly and it created a vacuum that MSM and SM were all too happy to fill.

  8. Darien Fenton 8
    6 May 2023 at 1:31 pm

    Another distraction. I am sorry if I am old fashioned, but in my mind we are in a fight for our lives, our working people, our country, our world. Yes, Labour is not perfect, nor the Greens, but FFS can we just talk about what's at stake here, not about individuals having what seems to be much more about them than the cause? I heard Rawiri on Newshub Nation saying they are not left or right but down the middle. So what the hell does that mean when it comes to our current parliamentary system? Because that's what we have right now and come the election it will be the numbers that count. And do those on the Centre Left think it is a good idea to eat each others' lunch in the name of perfection? Because we will lose and the prospect fills me with dread,

    • Sabine 8.1
      6 May 2023 at 1:55 pm

      Can we talk about the last 5+ years, three of them in full majority and the failure to produce anything of value to the people that have nothing of value?

      No you actually can't deflect from this. The Green Party rules out working with anyone other then Labour or 'the left', and thus in the end will always end up in bed with Labour, for better or for worse, and in this case for worse.

      Between this person, and the comments of other uterus having persons of the Green Party a lot of damage has been done, and no one is to blame but the persons who state stupid things life on telly and post pictures/comments on twitter/social media for all to see, read and digest. To the point where people that normaly would support Green instead of Labour are not longer considering doing so. Ditto for Labour.

      And one can only blame the electorate/;voters for wrong think and wrong vote for so long before it becomes clear that the fault lies not with the one that are to vote, but for the ones that got themselves elected and then refuse to work for their electorate, the good of the country and those that are hardest done by. Arrogance before the fall.

      TPM will either go left or right, depending on whom has the most to offer. Anyone thinking differently is sleepwalking through life.

      If labour is deluding themselves into believing that stacking the TPM with ex – Labour diversity picks is going to help them pass the hurdle again just shows the arrogance of Labour. TPM have used Labour and National equally to their benefit, sometimes it works sometimes not, but Labour should not even think that TPM is a partner that will save their behinds come the next election. TPM will go with whomever has the best proposal for them, and that might be National – the other pea of the purple colored pod that is NZ politics.

      If you are filled with dread today, you can lay that squarely at the feet of the Labour/Green party, drunk on their own idea of importance, devoid of any humanity for those that they choose no longer to represent, and in the end, unelectable at best, despised at worst.

      Those that used to vote L or G will have no one really to vote this time around. That should fill you with dread. The politically homeless and politically abandoned who nevertheless still have the right to vote, as this time around, holding their noses to lock out the stench and who find it does not work anymore.

      As for the person that just left the Green Party, good riddance, i don’t think they did a single thing for the people that elected them.

      • Corey 8.1.1
        7 May 2023 at 4:10 am

        This.

        Every word.

        Labour and the Greens have delivered absolutely nothing meaningful or for the people with nothing, stuff all for the middle class but have really really delivered for the rich.

        The "lefts" obsession with identity above all else, their increasingly authoritarian views on speech and debate and social engineering when all we want is houses for EVERYONE, to seriously tackle inequality rather than tinker round the edges and to fix the clusterfuck that is the housing system

        It's going to be really really hard to bother voting this time, fear of national and act ain't going to cut it

    • bwaghorn 8.2
      6 May 2023 at 2:30 pm

      "" I heard Rawiri on Newshub Nation saying they are not left or right but down the middle.

      I heard those words but what I really heard is tpm aims to be the center of importance that everyone must humble themselves to.

    • Patricia Bremner 8.3
      6 May 2023 at 8:27 pm

      These natural occurrences are blown up in importance by some, but I agree with you Darien, we are in "The fight of our lives".

      A few will self aggrandize in spite of that because they are totally self aware.

      There is no perfect party, or perfect way and the best we may hope for is a coalition of good will and belief in preserving the best of our cultures and environment.

      Now, none of that will happen in a vacuum. MMP will rule again, and that requires compromise. A word that some hate, because it means sharing and having to work collectively for a larger community, rather than self.

  9. DS 9
    6 May 2023 at 1:43 pm

    Not a Green myself, but she's only in Parliament because of those people who list-voted Green in 2020 – people she is no longer representing. While she hasn't pulled a full Alamein Kopu and started voting with the Nats, I do think there's an implicit betrayal of Green voters here. She really ought to quit as an MP.

    • Incognito 9.1
      6 May 2023 at 1:56 pm

      Are you suggesting that List MPs can and do only represent people in Parliament who voted for them?

      • bwaghorn 9.1.1
        6 May 2023 at 2:31 pm

        I certainly think that's the case, list mps are there for the party that bought them in. Leave the party leave the house.

      • Belladonna 9.1.2
        6 May 2023 at 3:13 pm

        That was certainly the justification given at the time for the Waka jumping legislation.

        I think it's a bit more nuanced when it comes to electorate MPs. But it's a lot harder to argue that Kerekere had a whole lot of individual support aside from her membership of the GP.

        • Incognito 9.1.2.1
          6 May 2023 at 3:56 pm

          Ok, these are two things. Firstly, the waka jumping legislation has not and will not be triggered in this case. An independent MP can still represent in Parliament. Secondly, forget about Kerekere for a moment, who is a List MP, and try to answer the question more generally.

          • RedLogix 9.1.2.1.1
            6 May 2023 at 4:05 pm

            I see no problem if you are elected as an Independent – but to be elected on a Party list and then choose to jump to being an Independent I cannot see why the Electoral Integrity Act should not apply in principle.

            Both of these resignations look shabby, and regardless the carefully parsed defenses being made here, neither passes the pub test.

            • Incognito 9.1.2.1.1.1
              6 May 2023 at 4:45 pm

              Thanks for replying. However, like the other replies, it wasn’t really answering my question, at least not directly. Personally, I’ve never quite worked out the exact role(s) of political parties in representation in Parliament. I mean, do MPs represent the people, all people or some people, or their Party, which represents (some) people, or a bit of both? I’m still meaning to read On the Abolition of All Political Parties by Simone Weil (HT to Eleanor Catton). I think Weil’s arguments with strike a chord with me because the title certainly has a certain appeal.

              • RedLogix …
                6 May 2023 at 4:50 pm

                Well yes I am not unsympathetic to that view – but surely if we had abolished political parties, then the Electoral Integrity Act itself would serve no purpose. And we would not be having this conversation.

                • Incognito …
                  6 May 2023 at 5:10 pm

                  True, but we don’t always and forever have to like and agree with Acts, do we? All we need to do is to abide by them, for the time being aka impermanence. Generally speaking, we seem wedded to this type of representative democracy and lack the imagination and courage to contemplate or even consider the possibility of other forms of governance …

                  • In Vino …
                    6 May 2023 at 7:27 pm

                    Sorry – I feel fundamentalist about this. If you get in on a party list vote, it is then your obligation to represent those who voted you in, and be loyal to that party. No subtleties allowed.

                    She should have been thrown out of parliament instantly, and the speaker's prevarications serve only to demonstrate the effect of having rules that are poorly drafted, allowing such prevarication.

                    • Incognito …
                      6 May 2023 at 8:08 pm

                      All good, thanks. Usually, when dealing with a ‘fundamentalist’ there is no discussion possible.

                      I’m interested in here compelling opinions on what representation in Parliament means. So far, I’ve mainly heard (legal-technocratic) reasons why a deserter needs to be turfed out of Parliament and that all (?) representation starts and stops with being in the Party of which the recalcitrant and rebel List MP was a member. However, nothing much compelled to form a firm opinion.

                    • weka []
                      6 May 2023 at 9:08 pm

                      … and that all (?) representation starts and stops with being in the Party of which the recalcitrant and rebel List MP was a member…

                      I don’t think it’s all. Kerekere (or anyone) could stand as an independent candidate at the next election. I think it’s more that MMP means that she became an MP because of the party.
                      She wasn’t voted in herself, her party was. For instance, if she was an electorate MP and she left parliament there would be a by-election because she was voted in directly. But as a list MP, if she left parliament, she would be replace from the list because people voted for the party with the list.

                      I don’t have strong feelings one way or the other, but I can see why some people feel it’s unjust to continue as an independent list MP.

                    • Incognito []
                      6 May 2023 at 9:26 pm

                      I think there is a Post in this, i.e., the special power & sway political Parties hold and the fact that independents apparently or allegedly stand no chance in a General Election even though there is no rule or Law against it. There have been examples of sitting MPs defecting, of course. I realise that this may sound like heresy on a site that has a strong foundation in the labour movement.

                      I’ll leave it at this – it is not the right Post anyway to pose such general questions.

                    • weka []
                      6 May 2023 at 11:49 pm

                      a post would be great. Or a discussion at another time in OM/DR etc. The idea of independents standing in GE, and why we need political parties etc.

          • Belladonna 9.1.2.1.2
            6 May 2023 at 5:39 pm

            Regardless of whether or not the Waka Jumping legislation will or will not be triggered (by some form of specious pleading).

            If someone has been elected on a Party list then they are, by definition, representing the people who voted for that party and it's policies. If they then decide to become independent, exactly who are they representing?

            The net result is a reduction of representation from the Party (and it's policies) in Parliament, against the intent of the electorate at the previous General election.

            It doesn't arise in the makeup of this Parliament, with its overwhelming single party majority; but has the potential to be significant in a more evenly divided Parliament, with one or more parties holding the 'balance of power'.

            If you will conceive of a situation where the GP combined with Labour hold a 1 seat majority – then the defection of a single MP has the potential to bring down the Government. We have had single seat majorities in the past, and may well again, following the election this year – certainly the majority will be considerably slimmer than currently enjoyed by the current government.

            It was precisely this situation which the Waka Jumping legislation was intended to prevent. The intention was that, once an MP was no longer voting with their Party, their seat was vacated, resulting in either a by-election (cf Sharma) or a new list MP (cf Mallard) [Yes, I know he retired, but it’s the same end result, a new list MP]

            This results in the balance of parliament, as voted for in the last General election (list replacement), or the opportunity for the electors to determine their representative (by-election)

            While I don't entirely agree with the WJ legislation (I think that there is a reasonable argument that an electorate MP has sufficient endorsement aside from their Party membership to remain in Parliament. Remembering, here Anderton.). I do think that Rurawhe's reasoning is entirely against the intent of Parliament, when the legislation was enacted. And does the office of Speaker little credit.

      • pat 9.1.3
        6 May 2023 at 5:28 pm

        I think there is a nuance that needs to be considered….once an MP becomes part of the Government then they are obliged to represent the interests of the country as a whole (that dosnt however mean they aspire to such nor that they succeed) whereas if you are not in the governing body you are freer (note the extra 'r') to act as an advocate for your 'constituency/cause/ideals'.

        • Belladonna 9.1.3.1
          6 May 2023 at 5:52 pm

          Certainly I'd agree with you over someone who is a Minister. And that's what a lot of the cabinet manual is about – balancing the duties and responsibilities of being an electorate MP and being a part of the government.

          I don't know that I'd go so far as to say that it's inevitably the case for a back bench MP in a party which is part of a coalition government.

          Having said that, I'd certainly advocate for a much freer style of parliamentary debate (as is practised in the UK) – where back bench MPs frequently disagree (sometimes vehemently) with their Party over issues. I think that our rather rigid 'whipping' system, results in poorer democracy.

          • pat 9.1.3.1.1
            6 May 2023 at 6:07 pm

            They may 'disagree' but they are still expected to vote in support of the Governments policies….crossing the floor is not without consequence

      • Grey Area 9.1.4
        6 May 2023 at 6:53 pm

        Yes. How else did they get there?

    • Shanreagh 9.2
      6 May 2023 at 2:07 pm

      I think she is after the election..ie she is retiring then. I am not sure why she cannot go now. The waka jumping legislation seems to be more honoured in the breach and perhaps if she put a note in a bottle it might get to the Speaker before the legislation is triggered. Or does the WJ legislation only apply to electorate seats?

      I can see she could create merry hell in the next few months with nothing to lose.

      • Tiger Mountain 9.2.1
        6 May 2023 at 2:35 pm

        Dr Kerekere certainly seems not a great unity fan, as per a ZZ Top number…

        “You know I gotsta get paid”…

      • Belladonna 9.2.2
        6 May 2023 at 3:25 pm

        Of course she could go now. And, if she had any serious loyalty to the GP – that's exactly what she would do (giving the next ranked list MP a taste of parliament – and a leg up for the election campaign).

        However, that would mean no further parliamentary salary…..

        She can resign at any point – it just needs a letter (on paper, with a handwritten signature – apparently) to the Speaker using the magic formula "I resign".

        The Speaker has made it clear that all 3 elements must be present for a resignation – either from a Party – triggering the waka jumping legislation) or from Parliament to be valid.

        The GP have made it clear that they won't trigger the WJ legislation provisions with the Speaker (a principled stance, since they've opposed the legislation all the way through).

        However, I'd be surprised if Kerekere turns up much. There will be little, if any, opportunity for her to speak as an independent MP. And Parliament is pretty boring for backbench MPs in any case. I think that the Speaker is generally fairly liberal with granting leave (certainly Ardern wasn't present in the house between her resignation as PM, and her valedictory speech). And lots of other MPs have been liberally granted leave of absence for 'stress' related reasons.

    • Psycho Milt 9.3
      6 May 2023 at 2:16 pm

      Absolutely. A list MP is in Parliament because people cast list votes for their party. If they quit the party, integrity would require them to quit Parliament as well and stand in a by-election (or just quit). Unfortunately, integrity seems to be in short supply among the kind of people who want to become MPs.

    • Mike the Lefty 9.4
      6 May 2023 at 9:44 pm

      If you get elected on a party list then leave that party that should automatically mean you leave the list – effectively resigning – and the next available person on the list takes your place. The legislation is too loose and easy to get around.

  10. Stuart Munro 10
    6 May 2023 at 4:59 pm

    My impression of EK during the leadership spill around Shaw, was that she believed she should take his place. I recall Marama smiling sympathetically at her, as one does to a child that cannot do the math. With one Maori woman co-leader already, Green preferences for a representative party in parliament gave EK no advantage over any other aspirant for that position – she did not seem to understand this however.

    Now she's off, like the young of the spade-footed toad, to meditate on fratricide until the rains return.

    • weka 10.1
      6 May 2023 at 6:45 pm

      What was EK's role in the leadership thing?

      • Stuart Munro 10.1.1
        6 May 2023 at 7:12 pm

        I couldn't say with certainty, though she was involved. My impression was mostly based on a brief media appearance – though the issue had surfaced in January of last year. Particularly damaging to Shaw was a revelation of a promise made to Labour without or in advance of Green party support – for which he was rebuked even by Jeanette Fitzsimons – a fairly centrist Green voice one would think.

        Most of the critique of Shaw came from outside the current parliamentary party however, and the spill failed when EK declined to challenge for Shaw's position on the 25th of July.

  11. weka 11
    6 May 2023 at 6:56 pm

    Shaw and Davidson speaking on the issues

    https://twitter.com/NewshubNZ/status/1654735003182329859

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