Green MP Darleen Tana. Photo: Marika Khabazi
Suspended Green MP Darleen Tana has been off work and away from Parliament for half its sitting days this year despite continuing to collect her full salary.
Tana was stood down by the Greens on March 14 after Stuff reported allegations of migrant exploitation relating to her husband's e-bike company.
The party commissioned barrister Rachel Burt to carry out an investigation which is still continuing more than eight weeks on.
The Green Party has previously attributed the time extension to "further information" coming to light.
The inquiry was intended to identify what Tana knew about the allegations and when and how that lined up with what she had told the party leadership.
Tana was last spotted publicly late last week at the release of 21 new kiwi into Opua State Forest in Northland.
In early April, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson told Newshub's The Hui that the process was "winding down" and "coming towards the end".
"The investigation was always going to be... robust and careful," Davidson said.
"We don't apologise for the investigation taking too long."
During that interview, Davidson said she had expected the investigation would take "about a month" in total.
The Green Party has had a turbulent start to the year including Golriz Ghahraman's resignation and subsequent conviction for shoplifting.
Most recently, Rongotai MP Julie Anne Genter has come under scrutiny for an outburst in the debating chamber which prompted two formal complaints about her behaviour.
The party has also had a change in leadership with Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick taking over from James Shaw following his retirement.
