The Green Party has stood down one of its MPs, Darleen Tana, after allegations emerged of migrant exploitation involving her husband's business.
Greens co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick said Tana "will stand aside from all caucus and Parliamentary responsibilities until the matter is resolved".
A Stuff report on Friday said an employee of E-Cycles NZ, owned by Tana's husband Christian Hoff-Nielsen, claimed to be owed around $25,000 in holiday pay and wages.
The Greens have now appointed an independent lawyer to investigate the matter.
"On March 14, it came to our attention that Ms Tana may have had some prior knowledge of the allegations," a statement from Davidson and Swarbrick said.
Tana has not yet commented on the claims and Hoff-Nielsen denies the allegations, Stuff reported.
Davidson and Swarbrick said Tana notified the party on February 1 about an Employment Relations Authority complaint laid against E-Bikes NZ.
The co-leaders said the Greens were also notified of a second complaint on February 9.
According to their statement, the complaints "included allegations against Ms Tana. Ms Tana has not been a director or shareholder of E Cycles NZ since 2019".
"A public statement at the time could have put a fair process at risk. However, to avoid any conflict of interest, Ms Tana immediately stood down from the small business portfolio," the statement said.
The allegations come to light nearly two months after Golriz Ghahraman's resignation from the Greens after she was accused of, and admitted on Wednesday, shoplifting from several stores.
Davidson and Swarbrick said the matters relating to Tana had been referred to mediation.
"The exploitation of migrants has no place in Aotearoa. It affects everybody and results in lower wages and conditions for all working people," the co-leaders said. "The Green Party has long campaigned to ensure everyone who wants to make their home here is treated with fairness and compassion.
"Mediation is a crucial part of resolving employment matters and it is important it is done in a way that is fair to everyone involved."
The co-leaders said Green 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.
"We cannot comment on the specific allegations while the matter is waiting mediation and the independent investigation is ongoing."
Tana first entered Parliament after last year's election. She holds multiple portfolios including overseas New Zealanders, internal affairs and, up until February 1, was the party's small business spokesperson.
Her profile said she brought a "lifetime of environmental mahi, business experience and grassroots activism to the Green Party Kaupapa".
"Born and raised among her hapū and marae in Te Tai Tokerau with whakapapa connections right across Aotearoa, Darleen has always had a very clear sense of being, tikanga and purpose," the profile said. "The mauri, mana and tapu of all in the natural world informs the quality of relationships that she holds.
"Naturally inquisitive, she is always eager to explore beyond realms of commonly-held knowledge in order to seek out new opportunity or pre-empt issues that may be important for the well-being of the collective."
