The co-leader of New Zealand’s Green Party resigned Wednesday, three weeks after confessing she committed welfare fraud as a struggling young mother more than 20 years ago.
Metiria Turei said the scrutiny on her family following her disclosure had become unbearable and she was worried about hindering her party’s chances six weeks ahead of an election.
The liberal Green Party is the nation’s third-largest party. It will now run its campaign with a single leader, James Shaw.
Turei made the confession as part of an attempt to energize debate about the difficulties of living on welfare, at the same time pledging to raise benefits by 20 per cent.
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