Parliament's longest-serving MP will leave politics within a fortnight, apparently trying to get ahead of a negative story about his workplace behaviour
National MP Nick Smith has announced he will retire from Parliament on June 10, revealing he is currently being investigated by the Parliamentary Service over a "verbal altercation" in his Wellington office.
Smith, who with 31 years of continuous service as an MP is the ceremonial 'Father of the House', said he was retiring for "personal and professional reasons, including a current Parliamentary Services [sic] inquiry into an employment issue".
He had learned the details of the confidential inquiry, regarding a verbal altercation in his Wellington office last July, had been leaked to the media and would be released on Tuesday.
"It is inappropriate for employment disputes to be litigated in public. I will put on the record that I regret the incident, I apologised at the time and I apologise again today. I have decided the best course of action for the parties involved, the National Party, my family and myself is to retire now."
Smith said there had also been recent changes in his family circumstances which required him to provide them with greater support.
"Politics does place a significant burden on family and I am incredibly grateful for the support of my wife, children and wider family."
He had already decided to retire after losing his Nelson seat to Labour's Rachel Boyack at last year's election, saying it was working for constituents and advocating for the region that he had enjoyed most.
Smith said his retirement was an opportunity for National to renew, and leader Judith Collins along with the wider caucus and party continued to have his full support.
Former Whanganui MP Harete Hipango is next on the National Party's list, although other parties have in the past sought to bypass the rankings to bring other candidates into Parliament.
In a statement, National leader Judith Collins thanked Smith for his service to Nelson and the New Zealand public, describing him as "a hardworking and extremely competent minister in the Fourth and Fifth National hovernments."
"Nick was one of the founding members of National’s BlueGreens group and has worked hard to develop our pragmatic and sensible approach to environmental issues. He created 17 marine reserves during his period as Minister and was the lead advocate for the Kahurangi National Park."
Collins said she could not comment on the specifics of the employment dispute, given there was an ongoing investigation.
