Why Greens made a ‘waka jumping’ U-turn

The Green Party has admitted it did not even think to register opposition to a ‘‘waka jumping’’ bill during negotiations with Labour, so now have to support it.

A screenshot from a private Young Green Party Facebook group was shared on the Reddit website with details about why the Green Party has found itself supporting the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill – that would prevent MPS from switching to another party – they have historically opposed.

Young Green Party co-convener Max Tweedie said that during the blind negotiations the Greens were asked for a list of NZ First policies they disagreed with, so they could register opposition to them.

‘‘Labour requested a list of NZF policies that we don’t support, and while we went through, we didn’t even think of the waka jumping bill. As a result because of the agreements between us, we have to support the bill because our opposition wasn’t flagged,’’ Tweedie wrote.

‘‘The bill has already passed first reading, so please direct your energy towards submitting at select committee. Caucus has indicated it will support the bill regardless.’’

A party spokesperson has confirmed the screenshot’s veracity.

Labour promised to support the waka jumping legislation in their agreement with NZ First. So-called ‘‘waka jumping’’ legislation allows party leaders to kick MPS out of Parliament if they have serious and public disagreements with the wider party.

The Greens supported the resulting bill through its first reading.