Summarised by Centrist
Green Party list MP Benjamin “Biblebelt Bussy” Doyle has announced a resignation from Parliament, citing personal wellbeing and family.
In a written statement, Doyle said the decision followed months of “baseless and violent accusations” and threats of real-world violence. The final day as an MP will be 3 October, with a valedictory speech planned for 18 September.
The resignation follows intense scrutiny of Doyle’s past social media activity. Screenshots from a private Instagram account included the phrase “bussy galore” alongside photos, one showing Doyle’s child. The slang term, commonly understood as a sexual reference, was raised in Parliament by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who suggested the police investigate. Doyle denied any sexual meaning, describing the phrase as a “pop culture pun” and a nickname, but claimed political naivety in not deleting the account before entering Parliament.
Police later confirmed they had received ten complaints linked to Doyle, with four formal warnings issued under the Harmful Digital Communications Act. No charges were laid, but the controversy overshadowed Doyle’s short tenure.
Green co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick described Doyle as strong and courageous. Doyle entered Parliament in 2024 as the Greens’ first non-binary MP, replacing Darleen Tana under the waka-jumping law.
Read more over at Green Party NZ and 1News
