Darleen Tana is considering a return to Parliament next week and could end up working out of an office next door to their former Green colleagues, 1News can reveal.
Tana hasn't committed to making the trip to Wellington in order to resume their seat, but has made preparations for if they do, saying they might make the final call on Sunday.
Speaking exclusively to 1News, the MP said they were continuing to consult with others on whether they should stay on in Parliament long-term as an independent MP.
These included their whānau, hapu and iwi groups, as well as people they work with in the "oceans and forest space", executive assistant support and their lawyer.
It comes as Tana's lawyers tell the party to release the independent report into allegations of migrant worker exploitation. (Source: 1News)
It follows their resignation from the Green Party over an independent investigation, which found they "likely" knew about allegations of migrant worker exploitation at they husband's business, before advising the party. It's a conclusion Tana rejects.
They have been asked, repeatedly, by the Green Party to resign from Parliament, with co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick saying the report's findings mean Tana is no longer fit to be an MP, let alone a Green MP.
Tana said the report was not comprehensive, did not follow natural justice and that the Green Party had a predetermined view of its outcome.
They said yesterday she "absolutely" supported releasing the report's executive summary. 1News has seen an email today from Tana's lawyer formally consenting to the release.
Embattled MP's office near ex-colleagues
The MP told 1News today they had discussed with the Clerk of the House what expectations are in place for them as an independent, adding they were "a very practical person" who wanted to know what they could do and what was expected of them.
Tana said they were a "professional" and wanted to fulfil any requirements of a sitting MP.
The office they once shared with the late Efeso Collins, who died in February, would now be theirs alone as an independent MP.
However, the MP's workspace would still be in close proximity to now-former Green colleagues, with their offices along the same hallway.
Typically, MPs of the same party are allocated a part of Parliament's offices together by Parliamentary Services, while MPs from other parties — including independents — are catered for separately.
Tana did not plan on seeking leave from Parliament, so will be present when Parliament sits again next week. Parliament has been in recess for the last three weeks, with many MPs returning to their home patches for that period — but they will return on Monday and Tuesday next week for a three-week sitting block.
Tana said they only regained access to their work email account today, after being locked out due to the length of absence from Parliament while the investigation was underway.
Today, Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick responded to Tana's comments — made by the independent MP in a sit-down interview with 1News — saying the party continued to implore their former colleague to resign from Parliament.
Watch the full Darleen Tana interview on TVNZ+
Swarbrick said she had not had any conversations with Parliamentary Services about moving Tana out of the Green Party corridor.
The MP was interviewed by 1News Political Editor Maiki Sherman, denying migrant exploitation at their husband’s business. (Source: 1News)
Asked if she would be happy for Tana to stay among their ex-colleagues, Swarbrick said she hadn't "even thought about that, to be honest with you".
"Look, again, I'd make the same point that I've said time and again ... the Green Party caucus is calling on — unanimously — Darleen to do the right thing here and to resign, to minimise any further harm or collateral damage, least of all, to the kaupapa that we all say that we care so dearly about. The planet is on fire."
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