A former Green MP said the party would need to "really review how they're approaching crises" as its vetting process is scrutinised.
It comes after co-leaders Marama David and Chlöe Swarbrick announced an internal investigation would be taking place after MP Darleen Tana was accused of migrant exploitation in two employment relations authority complaints.
She was suspended from parliamentary duties after the co-leaders learned "that Ms Tana may have had some prior knowledge of the allegations".
That scandal spilt over just two days after former MP Golriz Ghahraman pleaded guilty to four charges of shoplifting.
Speaking to Breakfast this morning, former Green MP Gareth Hughes said it's been a "horror start to the year" for his old party.
"It started off with the Government dismantling their policies, almost declaring war on nature at the moment, the tragic loss of Efeso Collins, and now they've had these integrity scandals which have really affected the party.
"This stuff adds up, it's cumulative and no party would want to be going through it."
In one instance a worker confronted the now former Green MP outside a store. (Source: 1News)
When asked how prospective candidates are vetted, he said they undergo a relatively robust interview process, followed by a declaration of important information before the party's internal democracy kicks in.
"But ultimately, we don't run a US sort of vice-presidential vetting system with private investigators and lawyers involved," he said.
"It really does rely on honesty and the candidate coming forward with all pertinent information."
He said that following the latest scandal, the Greens will "have to really review how they're approaching these crises".
"Given all the information in early February, I bet they're wishing that they had embarked on their private investigation at that point to get to the bottom of it, not wait until media were asking questions."
However, Hughes said the party had acted "decisively" by launching an investigation.
He said it would also be a "real test" for new co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.
"We know what a wonderful communicator and effective campaigner she is, but this is a real test of her leadership."
Current Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March was also asked if the party's vetting process was robust enough.
He told Breakfast: "We do go through a process right now where we ask people to disclose anything that might bring the party into disrepute.
"And we do have a robust interview process."
He said that after each election, the party puts its vetting under review and said this year's scandals will likely play a role in shaping changes that need to be made.
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