Has any political party had a tougher year than the New Zealand Greens?
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The country's third-biggest political party has suffered a scarcely-believable run of setbacks since the middle of 2023, when MP Elizabeth Kerekere left amid bullying allegations.
After losing government at the 2023 election as New Zealand swung to the right, the party first lost talismanic leader James Shaw, who opted to move on.
Foreign affairs spokeswoman Golriz Ghahraman then quit after being outed for shoplifting from high-end boutiques.
Efeso Collins, tipped as a future leader, died after competing in a charity run a week after his maiden speech in February, while in June, co-leader Marama Davidson took leave after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Senior MP Julie Anne Genter also brought disrepute to the party earlier in 2024 when she crossed the floor to scream abuse in the face of a government minister.
Ms Davidson's absence for treatment left sole co-leader Chloe Swarbrick at the helm to announce its latest bad news: dumping another MP from the partyroom.
Darleen Tana, elected in October's poll when the Greens hit a party record 11.6 per cent, was quickly engulfed by allegations of migrant worker exploitation by her family's e-bike business.
After suspending Ms Tana in March, the party conducted a marathon four-month review which concluded she breached the party's code of conduct.
On the weekend, Greens MPs voted unanimously to oust Ms Tana from the partyroom, and on Monday, Ms Swarbrick held a press conference to tell the public a message she had already given Ms Tana privately.
"Please resign," Ms Swarbrick said.
"This investigation sets out multiple ways Darleen Tana's conduct has fallen far short of the expectations myself and Marama have as co-leaders, and of the values of the Green party."
Ms Swarbrick wouldn't be drawn on details of the breaches, but reporting alleges Ms Tana has been responsible for underpaying and ghosting workers.
Ms Swarbrick said she felt "utterly betrayed" by Ms Tana, who has yet to respond.
Under lectoral law, she will remain in parliament as an independent unless she resigns, when she can be replaced by the next member on the Greens list: Benjamin Doyle, a Hamilton-based candidate.
As well as calling for Ms Tana's resignation and answering questions during a 40-minute press conference, Ms Swarbrick offered personal reflections on the difficult year, saying her team had been brought together.
"This caucus has been forged in fire," she said.
"Despite the fact we have absolutely had a rough few months ... our MPs have been punching pound for pound above their weight."
Australian Associated Press
