It's been nine weeks and counting since the independent investigation of Green MP Darleen Tana was launched - which Newshub can now reveal has cost $43,000 of taxpayer money so far.
The Party commissioned barrister Rachel Burt to carry out an investigation into what Tana knew about alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business.
The investigation was initially expected to take four weeks but that has ballooned since more information came to light.
"Natural justice is important to the Green Party and that's why an independent investigation into the very serious allegations surrounding Darleen Tana is taking place, which has so far cost $43,000," a Green Party spokesperson said.
The money comes from the Green Party Leaders' Office which is funded through the Parliamentary service which is paid for by the taxpayer.
Tana, a list MP who entered Parliament after the 2023 Election, has been away from Parliament for half its sitting days this year but continues to collect her full salary.
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick told AM on Monday that while it is not helpful for her to speculate on dates, she is hoping the report will come back "imminently".
"I would have loved to have it as soon as possible but unfortunately that's not in my hands, that's sitting with independent investigator Rachel Burt," Swarbrick told co-host Lloyd Burr.
"It will be done as soon as it possibly can and that's why we can't put the cart before the horse here – we have to be really clear that natural justice has to be a priority."
Appearing on Mike Hosking Breakfast on Monday morning, Swarbrick admitted she did not know how much the investigation was costing the taxpayer.
"Every political party has funding that they use at their discretion. Obviously, we would prefer that we weren't having to do this investigation but the very point is to get clear answers," she told the radio show.
She added Burt is working on the report every week but would not speculate on what information the Party has been given about the report.
"I make a point of the integrity of this process so that we uphold natural justice and we end up with a report that is meaningful and has that integrity so that we can stand behind that and take actions subsequent to that," Swarbrick said.
"Also, again, we have to hold true to the potential that it doesn't end up in that light."
However, Hosking said it is "impossible" to believe Burt had been working for hundreds of hours and found nothing the whole way through.
At the centre of the accusations is E-Cycles NZ Ltd, trading as Bikes and Beyond, which is owned by Christian Hoff-Nielsen, Tana's husband.
A former employee claims they are owed around $25,000 in holiday pay and wages. They, alongside another migrant employee, have both laid claims in the Employment Relations Authority.
The Green Party Leaders were notified of the first complaint laid against Tana's husband's company Cycles NZ Ltd, trading as Bikes and Beyond, at the start of February. Just over a week later they were told about a second allegation.
According to the Greens, the complaints included allegations against Tana, however, she has not been a director or shareholder of the business since 2019.
The Party commissioned barrister Burt to carry out an investigation to identify what Tana knew about the allegations and how that lined up with what she told party leadership.
However, since the investigation was launched, the Greens said "further information" has come to light, which led to the investigation taking longer.
