Tana investigation passes six weeks
An investigation into Green MP Darleen Tana, who has been stood down from Parliament, has surpassed six weeks.
Green Party leadership launched the investigation by barrister Rachel Burt in the middle of March, after questions by
Stuff regarding an allegation of migrant exploitation at a business owned by her husband.
A statement from co-leader Marama Davidson at the time said that on March
14, “it came to our attention that Ms Tana may have had some prior knowledge of the allegations”.
“To understand fully what Ms Tana knew, and when, we are appointing an independent lawyer to conduct an investigation into the matter.”
Davidson said the party had been “quite clear that we want this to be done as quickly as possible for everyone's benefit, but also making sure that it's fair and robust and upholds natural justice processes as well”.
Initially, it was expected the investigation to take a couple of weeks. Earlier this month, the Green Party said it was expected to take about a month.
On April 9, Davidson told The Hui it was “coming towards the end of that independent investigation”.
Timeline of initial events
On February 1, Tana informed the Green Party that a complaint had been laid with the Employment Relations Authority.
“Darleen voluntarily stepped aside from the small business portfolio. We felt that that was a protective measure, going above and beyond but as a protection measure, while a confidential mediation process went through,” Davidson said.
On February 9, they were notified of a second complaint.
“All of the complaints were related to years before she became an MP and to do with years where she was not a director or shareholder of the small business. And again, they were referred to mediation for resolution,” Davidson said.
“We had it on good faith that Darleen was not involved or had prior knowledge.”
Davidson said they would have continued the mediation process and worked towards a resolution, prior to the inquiries by Stuff.
“So we were aware that it wasn't the end of the story, but were willing to allow for the confidential mediation process to happen and then would have waited for an outcome from that."
In March, Tana welcomed the investigation and said she intended to cooperate fully. It comes after allegations against a business run by Tana’s husband, with a migrant worker claiming they are owed $25,000 in unpaid wages. The worker claims they approached Tana for help.
Tana’s husband, Christian Hoff-Nielsen, denies the claims, saying he does not owe the worker, Santiago Latour Palma, any money, and denies that he worked there illegally or was paid in cash or had anything to do with Tana.