Former Green MP Dr Elizabeth Kerekere bowed out of Parliament in a mostly subdued speech that made only one barb against her former party. Video / Parliament TV
Former Green MP Dr Elizabeth Kerekere bowed out of Parliament in a mostly subdued speech that made only one barb against her former party.
Kerekere resigned from the Green Party in May after a massive falling out and ahead of an investigation into her conduct following an embarrassing incident in which she appeared to call Chlöe Swarbrick a “crybaby” in a group chat. Kerekere denied the message was intended for Swarbrick.
In her valedictory speech to Parliament, Kerekere said Green co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson made “unfounded and increasingly elaborate allegations about me [her]” up to her resignation.
She said she only received a draft terms of reference for the inquiry four weeks after the “crybaby” incident. She said this undermined the claims made by the party that she could not speak publicly because a “process” was underway.
“There were no formal complaints, there was no natural justice, and there was never a process – let alone one that was tikanga-based,” Kerekere said.
Kerekere is one of many MPs retiring from politics at this election and, as such, is afforded time to speak about her experience as a politician.
Green Party MPs Chloe Swarbrick and Elizabeth Kerekere in more collegial times, delivering a 150,000-signature petition to Parliament calling for a ban on conversion therapy. Photo / Sophie Trigger
Kerekere quit the party shortly after 8pm on May 5, intending to stay on as an independent MP until the election, when she would retire.
Shaw and Davidson said they would not trigger the “waka-jumping” law to eject her from Parliament, sticking to a commitment the Greens made when they voted to pass the legislation that they did not intend to invoke it.
Speaking to the Herald this afternoon, Kerekere said she did not know how many Green MPs would be in the House during her speech and was not concerned whether Shaw and Davidson attended.
“They can do whatever they like, they always have.”
Ahead of her speech, she said one of her goals with the speech was to respond to claims made about her.
“I’m not here to attack anybody, I’m here to correct the record, make my statement and get on with my life.”
Despite her excitement for the future, Kerekere confessed she was slightly disappointed not to complete a second three-year term as an MP, which had been her desire.
Nevertheless, she was proud of what the party had achieved and was looking forward to having a larger role in research projects focused on the rainbow community, of which she was a vocal advocate.
“I want to go out with my head held high and know that I go back into the community with their support.”
She clarified that she wanted to remain a Green Party member, but not an MP. Asked whether she could do so under Shaw and Davidson’s leadership, she did not rule it out.
Labour’s Marja Lubeck, Jamie Strange and Paul Eagle made their valedictory speeches yesterday.
Still to come over this week and next week are Dr James McDowall, Damien Smith, Stuart Nash, Dr David Clark, Dr Emily Henderson, Aupito William Sio, Todd Muller, Ian McKelvie, David Bennett, Jacqui Dean, Jan Logie, Eugenie Sage and Poto Williams.
