Hayes retires
Vernon Small at Stuff reports:
Wairarapa MP John Hayes is to step down at the next election, bringing to 10 the number of National MPs who have said they will go.
It is understood he has told Prime Minister John Key and has also written to his supporters in the electorate.
Mr Hayes, 65, was first elected MP for Wairarapa in 2005. That followed a career as an agricultural economist and then as a diplomat, including a stint as New Zealand’s ambassador to Iran and Pakistan.
Before becoming an MP, he was best known for his part in the Bougainville peace process. He was made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of that work.
He served as private secretary under former Labour trade minister Mike Moore and is currently parliamentary private secretary and chairman of the foreign affairs, defence and trade select committee.
John has also been a parliamentary private secretary to Murray McCully and often travels on his behalf, especially in the Pacific. He’s been very effective in that role. I’ve had the good fortune to enjoy John’s hospitality on occasion, and he is a very genial host.
This now brings the number of retirements for National since the last election to 13. They are:
- Shane Ardern, TKC
- Chris Aunchinvole, List
- Jackie Blue, List (already gone)
- Cam Calder, List
- Phil Heatley, Whangarei
- Paul Hutchison, Hunua
- Colin King, Kaikoura (challenged)
- Eric Roy, Invercargill
- Katrina Shanks, List (already gone)
- Lockwood Smith, List (already gone)
- Chris Tremain, Napier
- Kate Wilkinson, Waimakariri
- John Hayes, Wairarapa
Meanwhile Labour marches towards the 2014 election with their 1980s MPs!