Tariana Turia to step down at 2014 election
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia has confirmed she will be standing down at the next general election in 2014.
The MP for Te Tai Hauauru and Minister of the Crown will have spent 18 years in Parliament when she retires in 2014.
"I have given it serious thought and have made the decision with my family not to seek re-election in 2014. I am looking forward to spending more time with my husband and our mokopuna," Mrs Turia said.
Mrs Turia has been a member of Parliament since 1996, first as a list MP for the New Zealand Labour Party.
She was then elected as MP for Te Tai Hauauru for the Labour Party in 2002 but crossed the floor and resigned from the Labour Party in 2004 over the proposed Foreshore and Seabed bill.
She was re-elected as the MP for Te Tai Hauauru, under the authority of the Maori Party.
