Matua Kahurangi
Matua Kahurangi is an unemployed journalist who newsrooms hate. Matua is based in the Far North.
It should come as no surprise that members of the New Zealand Green Party, such as Tamatha Paul, advocate for abolishing prisons – after all, their own party members seem to have a history of questionable behavior. The party’s track record raises legitimate concerns about its ethical standards and judgment.
Take the case of former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman. She was convicted of shoplifting nearly $10,000 worth of merchandise from various New Zealand retailers. While she ultimately resigned from the party, the Greens stood by her throughout the ordeal. This is significant, given that she faced the real possibility of a prison sentence. Why did the party rally around her instead of taking a firm stance against such misconduct?
Then there’s current Green MP, Benjamin Doyle. In my previous Substack article, I highlighted deeply concerning social media activity from Doyle, who posted a photo on Instagram of himself with a child sitting on his lap wearing rainbow-colored pants. His caption? “Bussy galore”. For those unaware, “bussy” is a term commonly used in LGBTQ+ circles to refer to the male anus, often in a sexualized context. Given that he holds the portfolio for children, this kind of language is completely inappropriate. After facing scrutiny, Doyle has since locked his Instagram account, but the damage to his credibility remains.
Tamatha Paul’s recent remarks further add to the troubling pattern within the party. She recently told a crowd that Wellington residents don’t want to see police everywhere, claiming that “for a lot of people, it makes them feel less safe”. This raises serious questions: Is her push to abolish prisons motivated by ideology, or is she trying to ensure that certain members of her own party avoid legal consequences?
The Green Party continues to align itself with individuals who exhibit highly questionable behavior, from theft to inappropriate online conduct. Instead of prioritizing integrity and accountability, they appear more focused on defending their own, regardless of the ethical implications.
New Zealand deserves better from its political leaders. If the Greens want to be taken seriously as a governing force, they need to start holding their members to higher standards rather than excusing behavior that should be condemned. Perhaps some of them should step back from politics and seek the mental health help they so clearly need.
This article was originally published on the author’s Substack.
