Green MP Benjamin Doyle Resigns from Parliament Amid Death Threats and Abuse

Wellington, New Zealand — Green MP Benjamin Doyle has resigned from Parliament, citing concerns for their personal well-being after facing a torrent of death threats and sustained abuse. The Green Party confirmed the news in a statement released on Friday afternoon, confirming that Doyle will leave Parliament on October 3.

Doyle, who became New Zealand’s first openly non-binary MP after entering Parliament in October 2024, said they had been on a journey of healing and realized they could not complete it while in Parliament. They described the experience as one filled with baseless and violent accusations, an onslaught of hate, and threats of real-world violence directed at them and their whānau.

‘My child asked me to leave Parliament, and I am leaving for my own wellbeing,’ Doyle said. They emphasized that while they would continue to fight for people and the planet, they would no longer do so from inside Parliament. ‘My experience highlights the need for New Zealand to ensure politics is a place for everyone,’ they added.

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson expressed gratitude for Doyle’s contribution to the party and supported their decision. She stated that as a country, more work was needed to make politics safe for everyone, especially for marginalized communities.

Doyle, who previously worked as a Hamilton high school teacher, has faced significant scrutiny since entering Parliament. In late March, NZ First leader Winston Peters raised questions about Doyle’s private Instagram account, focusing on a post that included the slang term 'bussy,' which is often used within the rainbow community. Doyle denied any wrongdoing, stating the term was a nickname and in-joke among friends. However, the backlash was described as an 'immense' wave of death threats and 'poisonous transphobic hate' pushed by 'far-right conspiratorial actors,' which required police involvement.

Davidson accused Peters of spreading 'disinformation' and 'fanning the flames of hatred towards the rainbow community,' while Peters called the Greens' defense a 'flimsy excuse of victimhood.'

Doyle will be replaced by Mike Davidson, the next candidate on the Greens list. The Green Party has faced several high-profile challenges in recent months, including the resignation of Golriz Ghahraman after being convicted of shoplifting, the ejection of Darleen Tana from Parliament over allegations of migrant exploitation, and the tragic death of Fa’anānā Efeso Collins in February 2024. Co-leader Marama Davidson also took time off for breast cancer treatment.

As the political landscape in New Zealand continues to evolve, Doyle’s resignation has sparked a broader conversation about the safety and inclusivity of Parliament. Many have called for stronger measures to protect MPs from online and real-world abuse, particularly those from underrepresented communities.

‘Benjamin’s decision is a powerful reminder of the personal toll that politics can take, especially when the system fails to protect its members,’ said one commentator. ‘It’s time for a cultural shift in how we treat those who serve in Parliament — not just as politicians, but as people.’