Green Party co-leaders have fronted media to discuss MP Julie Anne Genter's outburst in Parliament last night, revealing she's working from home in the wake of last night's incident.
Genter has admitted potentially "intimidating" behaviour after rising from her seat in the House to confront National Party MP Matt Doocey. She stood over him as he sat, waving her arms and saying "read the report" and "what is wrong with you?"
She later apologised for her actions in the House, saying what motivated her was a "desire to share information that I believe would be of benefit to everyone in this House".
"I'm very sorry if, in my passion to do so, I was intimidating. That was not my intention."
Speaker Gerry Brownlee confirmed in Parliament today a privileges complaint had been made against Genter over the issue.
The Greens are now dealing with another bad headline, Political Editor Maiki Sherman reports. (Source: 1News)
She returned to her seat after she was asked to by deputy speaker Barbara Kuriger, who today told 1News Genter's actions were "certainly inappropriate" and she had not seen that kind of behaviour in her time as an MP.
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick fronted media on the issue at Parliament this afternoon just before Question Time.
Davidson said Genter was working from home and the Greens had made it "really clear her behaviour was unacceptable".
"It's best that she was working from home today. We are making it really clear to her that behaviour shouldn't have happened."
Davidson said Genter working from home was not to avoid accountability.
"We have a disciplinary process happening where we will be making it very clear that this must not happen again.
"It's not acceptable for any MP, it's not acceptable for ours.
"It completely fell below our standards."
She said that included laying out the expectations of MPs.
The Greens were also providing Genter with personal and professional support, she said.
Davidson would not directly answer a repeated question about whether she had ever experienced Genter losing her temper.
"I am commenting on what has happened last night.
"Regardless of any context, any background, there is a level of behaviour that we expect everybody to meet and that was not met last night."
Davidson said the Greens had had a "heck of a rough time lately", including a "resurfaced" grief for MP Efeso Collins, who died at the end of February. Parliament held formal tributes to him this week.
"But nothing excuses the behaviour that has happened in the House last night."
Davidson said the Greens had had a "heck of a start to the term" — one that has also included former MP Golriz Ghahraman facing court on shoplifting charges and Darleen Tana facing allegations regarding migrant exploitation. Golriz resigned from Parliament and Tana is on leave while an investigation is underway.
Davidson reiterated those instances were no excuse for bad behaviour from the Greens.
She had contacted Matt Doocey and Christopher Luxon last night.
"To make it clear that this is unacceptable."
She had not yet heard back from either.
Swarbrick said Genter's behaviour was "obviously unacceptable behaviour".
"It crossed a threshold last night."
Swarbrick said she understood previous co-leaders had "had a conversation" with Genter about her behaviour in an interview with TVNZ about roadside drug testing in 2021.
She said the Green Party would also participate in "all of the processes of the House to ensure that order is restored".
Doocey, on his way into the House this afternoon, said he would not comment on the incident today.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters was also asked about Genter's behaviour, but said "let others [comment], I'm a nice guy".
Swarbrick could be seen laughing and joked to Peters as the two walked into the House: "Are you?"
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