Senior Labour list MP Peeni Henare has revealed he won’t contest the next general election, prioritising his family and personal wellbeing instead.
“I have decided not to seek the nomination for Tāmaki Makaurau again or a place on the Labour Party list,” Henare said in a statement.
He said he had thought “long and hard” about his future over the summer.
Labour’s list MP would be succeeded by the next candidate, Dan Rosewarne.
His party confirmed Henare will exit Parliament “in the coming weeks.”
The ex-Minister for Defence, Tourism, and Whānau Ora served the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate for almost a decade and held ministerial posts for six years.
Following his defeat by Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Tarsh Kemp—who died last year—at the last general election, he became a Labour list MP.
Henare ran once more in last year’s by-election for the seat but lost again to former news broadcaster Oriini Kaipara of Te Pāti Māori.
“Last year was tough after losing the by-election, and after careful consideration and kōrero with my whānau over the break, I have decided that it is time for me to take a step back from politics,” Henare said.
“It’s time to focus on my family, my wellbeing and my future.”
“I want to thank my Labour caucus colleagues for all their support, and I will continue to tautoko their work and the party from outside Parliament,” he said.
“It has been an honour to be a Labour MP and serve as a minister for six years. I’m proud of our record in government, and I know the next Labour government will continue the hard mahi.”