An email indicates Elizabeth Kerekere is set to speak to Green Party members tomorrow via Zoom. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
Under-fire Green MP Elizabeth Kerekere is set to break her silence to party members amid allegations of bullying.
An email sent to Green members, and seen by RNZ, says Kerekere will speak to them over Zoom on Friday evening.
"This will be an opportunity to hear from Dr Kerekere, as discussed at the recent Member Assembly," the email said.
Kerekere has not been to Parliament or spoken publicly since messages leaked to RNZ appeared to show her badmouthing her caucus colleague Chlöe Swarbrick last month.
She denied calling Swarbrick a "crybaby", but the party has launched a probe into the matter, led by chief of staff Robin Campbell and musterer Jan Logie.
Since then, a number of Green Party sources have spoken to RNZ alleging bullying behaviour from Kerekere.
Last week, Kerekere's supporters attempted to delay voting on the Greens' final list rankings until the investigation had finished. The attempt failed.
On the draft list, Kerekere, a first-term MP, was ranked fourth; one place below Swarbrick, but above some senior MPs.
Leaders intent on trust, unity
James Shaw Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
In a statement, Green Party co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson said the investigation into Kerekere was about maintaining the trust and unity of the caucus.
"We wanted to look formally into whether Dr Kerekere's messages on 5 April were part of a pattern of behaviour that may be affecting staff wellbeing or the trust of caucus colleagues," the statement said.
"Consistent with Green Party values, we made clear that the process should be fair to everyone involved. In the absence of an agreement on what could be said, the parties involved have refrained from saying anything."
The co-leaders said they understood Kerekere had accepted an invitation to address the party membership.
"We remain committed to an internal process that is fair, and provides an opportunity to hear from MPs, past and present, and former staff in confidence on matters that may have an impact on our ability to carry out our important work on behalf of the people of Aotearoa."