Wigram MP Dr Megan Woods has announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, bringing to an end more than a decade representing the Christchurch electorate in Parliament.

Dr Woods made the announcement on her Facebook page, saying it was time to pass the torch after 15 years of service.

“Next year, by the time the election rolls around, I’ll have had the incredible honour of serving as your MP for Wigram for 15 years,” she said. “It’s been both humbling and the honour of a lifetime to serve our incredible community.”

Instead of contesting the seat, Dr Woods said she would seek selection for the Labour Party List to be part of the next government, should Labour win in 2026.

She reflected on her political journey, first becoming Labour’s Wigram candidate on 19 September 2010, just weeks after the first Christchurch earthquake and on Women’s Suffrage Day.

“Thousands of quakes later, in November 2011, the people of Wigram placed their trust in me and elected me as their representative,” she said.

“When I was first elected, I thought the biggest challenge I would face would be helping our communities recover from the devastation of the earthquakes. I had no idea what lay ahead for us. Together, we’ve faced so much more: a terrorist attack, a global pandemic, and countless moments of heartbreak, strength, growth, connection and hope.”

Dr Woods acknowledged the long tradition of stability in the Wigram electorate, pointing out that only two MPs have represented it over the past 42 years.

She said when she first stood, she committed to serving full six-year electoral boundary cycles. “In 2014 and 2019, when we had new boundaries, I could say ‘absolutely yes’ to a six-year commitment. This time, I can’t.”

Dr Woods said she would now support a new Labour candidate for Wigram, someone who could carry forward shared values and commitment to the community.

“Just as Jim did with me,” she said, referring to her predecessor Jim Anderton.

“Thank you, Wigram.”