Senior Labour MP Duncan Webb said he will step down from politics and will not run for his Christchurch Central seat in the 2026 election.
Webb said he will continue serving as an MP but intends to exit politics once the current term ends.
“I have put a lot of thought into this decision,” he said in his statement.
“I particularly love the justice portfolio and would like to thank Labour leader Chris Hipkins for putting his trust in me to do it, as well as my Labour caucus colleagues, who are a fantastic bunch to work the relentless days and long nights with.”
“But I’ve decided I am going to take a break and then do something else.”
“I want to spend more time adventuring, exploring nature, hiking, skiing and mountain biking with my partner and now-adult sons.”
Webb said he would explore new opportunities afterward, expressing confidence that he still has an exciting career ahead of him.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the news came as somewhat unexpected.
“I would have loved him to stay; he would have certainly been a minister had we won the next election, had he decided to stay.”
Hipkins said Webb had reassured him that the decision was not influenced by “politics or personality” and insisted that no scandal was involved.
Since 2017, Webb has represented the Christchurch Central electorate. During the previous Labour Government, he served as a minister overseeing the Commerce and Consumer Affairs and State-Owned Enterprises portfolios.