Labour MP Stuart Nash will stand down at the election.
Nash became embroiled in scandal last month, first resigning as police minister and then being sacked as a Cabinet minister. He faced scrutiny for breaking Cabinet rules and also overstepping his role as a minister, in conversations with immigration officials and the police commissioner.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins fired Nash as a minister on Tuesday. At the time, he said it was Nash’s choice whether he wanted to seek re-nomination to stand for Napier, or stand down.
Hipkins said he would not be welcoming Nash back to the executive again, after it emerged he emailed business figures, including donors, details of private Cabinet discussions.
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In a statement issued Monday afternoon, Nash confirmed he would not seek re-election.
“While the work has been very rewarding, and both intellectually and professionally stimulating, it has also been incredibly taxing on relationships with family and friends. It’s now time to address this balance,” he said.
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Stuart Nash will not seek re-election
Nash first entered Parliament in 2008. He has served 12 years as an MP, nine representing Napier.
Under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, he served six years in Cabinet.
“There are many many highs – and a couple of obvious lows – and I have made a number of life-long friends from both sides of the House,” he said.
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Politicians say it was the right call to sack Stuart Nash as a minister.
“I have had the privilege of serving in the Ardern Cabinet during the darkest of days, managing crisis after crisis after crisis, while driving forward an ambitious and progressive agenda.”
Nash held various portfolios while in Government; fisheries, police, oceans, forestry, economic development, regional development, tourism and revenue.
He was also part of the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery group, and, in his statement, said there was still a lot of work to do managing the cyclone response in Hawke’s Bay.
Before confirming he would step down at the election, Nash said he would not stand down too early – thus causing a by-election for Napier.
National party leader Christopher Luxon pressured him to resign immediately last week, saying he couldn’t be trusted as an MP generally after leaking Cabinet discussions to donors.
On Sunday, Luxon said it was “a little difficult to understand” why Nash had been kicked out of Cabinet but was still in the Labour caucus.
With Nash resigning at the election, there would be no need for an early by-election just six months out from October’s polling day.
The Government continues to face questions about transparency in the wake of Nash’s resignation. Two investigations have been launched. The Cabinet’s Secretary has been asked to look into other communications from Nash, while the Ombudsman is looking into Nash’s adherence to the Official Information Act.
