Labour MP Peeni Henare in one-on-one interview at Waitangi after announcing he will leave Parliament after not seeking re-election. Video / NZ HeraldNew Zealand First minister and Northland-based MP Shane Jones says he wants to find out the “whole story” behind Labour MP Peeni Henare’s shock resignation, comparing the outcome to the dysfunction afflicting Te Pāti Māori. Henare, an MP of 12 years and former minister, announced yesterday he was leaving politics by confirming he would not contest his former electorate of Tāmaki Makaurau and would not seek a position on Labour’s list. Henare said he had “no bad feeling” towards Labour, claiming he had been assured by the party he could have contested Tāmaki Makaurau in the 2026 election. Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who initially refused to confirm Henare’s departure or express confidence in him ahead of the MP’s public statements, said the party would miss Henare as a passionate advocate for Māori.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 03, 2026 23:08 UTC