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Green Party MP Darleen Tana has been suspended amid allegations she is linked to migrant exploitation at her husband\u2019s company.\xa0

Tana becomes the third Green MP in less than a year to run into trouble, following in the footsteps of Elizabeth Kerekere, who quit the party last year amidst bullying allegations, and Golriz Ghahraman, who resigned after allegations emerged of her shoplifting.\xa0

The party\u2019s co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chl\xf6e Swarbrick fronted morning media to respond to the allegations. Davidson acknowledged to RNZ the incident showed the party was going through tough times.\xa0

Swarbrick told Newstalk ZB\u2019s Mike Hosking they are \u201cdeeply serious allegations\u201d.\xa0

A statement from Davidson and Swarbrick said Tana was suspended on Thursday afternoon because the allegations raised a conflict of interest with her small business portfolio.\xa0

The claims first came to light on February 1 when Tana informed the party a complaint had been made to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) by a worker at her husband\u2019s business, E-Bikes NZ.\xa0

\u201cOn February 9, the party was notified of a second complaint to the ERA,\u201d the statement reads.\xa0

\u201cThese complaints included allegations against Ms Tana. Ms Tana has not been a director or shareholder of E Cycles NZ since 2019.\u201d\xa0

She was suspended after it became apparent she may have previously been aware of the allegations.\xa0

An independent lawyer is conducting the investigation.\xa0

Both Tana and her husband have been approached for comment.\xa0

\u201cGreen MPs are expected to maintain high standards of public and private behaviour. To understand fully what Ms Tana knew, and when, we are appointing an independent lawyer to conduct an investigation into the matter. Ms Tana will stand aside from all caucus and parliamentary responsibilities until the matter is resolved,\u201d the statement reads.\xa0

\u201cWe cannot comment on the specific allegations while the matter is waiting mediation and the independent investigation is ongoing.\u201d\xa0

Speaking to\xa0Newstalk ZB,\xa0Swarbrick faced questions over whether the party had erred in not going public with Tana\u2019s suspension earlier.\xa0

Swarbrick said it was not useful for politicians to involve her opinions in the situation while an investigation is ongoing.\xa0

She would not say whether Tana had denied the allegations.\xa0

\u201cOn February the 1st, Darleen did notify the party of an allegation,\u201d Swarbrick said.\xa0

\u201cTo avoid any conflict of interest, Darleen stepped down from her portfolios.\u201d\xa0

On March 14, it became clear Tana may have known of the issues before she alerted the party, so that was when she was stood down, Swarbrick said.\xa0

\u201cYesterday it came to our attention that Darleen may have had prior knowledge of these allegations.\u201d\xa0

Swarbrick called the situation \u201cincredibly serious\u201d.\xa0

\u201cOf course there is a level of public scrutiny.\u201d\xa0

Green Party co-leader Chl\xf6e Swarbrick told Newstalk ZB\u2019s Mike Hosking they are \u201cdeeply serious allegations\u201d. Photo / Alex Burton\xa0

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson told RNZ Tana was removed from the small business portfolio when the party was first made aware of the allegations on February 1.\xa0

Davidson defended not immediately standing down Tana saying they were not initially aware of her own alleged involvement or knowledge.\xa0

\u201cThe allegations are serious and we are taking this seriously.\xa0

\u201cIt was yesterday that it came to our attention that Ms Tana may have had some prior knowledge of the allegations, that is why we have appointed an independent investigation.\u201d\xa0

Davidson said the public wasn\u2019t advised when Tana was removed from her portfolio because of the need to keep mediation matters private.\xa0

\u201cThe allegations are absolutely serious... We have long campaigned to ensure everyone that comes to Aotearoa to make their home is treated with compassion and kindness in the workplace.\u201d\xa0

It\u2019s the latest in a string of incidents involving Green MPs and Davidson admitted the party was \u201cgoing through some times.\u201d\xa0

National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis told Newstalk ZB it was a matter for the Green Party.\xa0

\u201dIt sounds a bit messy and, obviously, all of us condemn any form of migrant exploitation.\u201d\xa0

Tana was elected in last year\u2019s election for the first time and is a member of the environment select committee.\xa0

Her portfolios include digitising government, media and communications, oceans and fisheries, overseas New Zealanders, science, innovation and technology, and small business and manufacturing.\xa0

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