National MP for Whangārei and Government Minister Dr Shane Reti QSM has announced he will retire from politics at the next general election.

Dr Reti paused his medical career before entering Parliament and was elected in 2014 as the first Māori MP for Whangārei.

He has served four terms across twelve years.

“I want to thank the people of Whangārei for the great privilege of serving them and to my partner and family for their understanding and unconditional contribution to this career.

“I have always felt valued by the National Party and for that I thank the Prime Minister, local party executive, and my colleagues and staff in Wellington and Whangārei offices for their support over many years as Whangārei MP, Deputy Leader of the National Party, Interim leader of the National Party and as a Minister.

“Highlights include progressing the 4 lanes to Whangārei and advancing policies that as Minister of Health expanded breast cancer screening for 70–74 year old New Zealand women and established a 3rd medical school at Waikato.

“Reshaping the science and technology sector to look more like other small advanced economies that improves benefits to taxpayers has been a privilege especially amalgamating the 7 Crown Research Institutes into 3 Public Research Organisations.”

Dr Reti has served in several ministerial roles including Minister of Health, Minister for Universities, Minister for Science Innovation and Technology, Minister for Statistics and Minister for Pacific Peoples.