Polls tell Dunne it’s time to go
Unitedfuture leader and Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne is quitting politics 41⁄2 weeks out from the election.
He is the third leader in a month to step aside – after Labour’s Andrew Little and Greens co-leader Metiria Turei also resigned.
‘‘The current political environment is extremely volatile and unpredictable. However, I have concluded, based on recent polling, and other soundings I have been taking over the last few weeks, that, the volatility and uncertainty notwithstanding, there is now a mood among Ohariu voters for a change of MP, which is unlikely to alter,’’ Dunne said in a statement.
The 63-year-old has been the MP for Ohariu in various forms since 1984 and is the longest serving continuous MP in Parliament.
Dunne’s opponent in the Ohariu seat is Labour candidate Greg O’connor and a Colmar Brunton poll last week gave O’connor a big lead.
‘‘This shift in voter sentiment is quite at variance with polling and other data I have seen throughout the year, upon which I had based my earlier decision to seek reelection for a 12th term as MP for Ohariu,’’ Dunne said.
‘‘While I am naturally extremely disappointed after 33 years of service at this apparent change of feeling, I recognise and understand it, and respect absolutely the electorate’s prerogative to feel that way,’’ he said.
‘‘I have therefore decided that it is time for me to stand aside, so the people of Ohariu can elect a new electorate MP. I do so with considerable reluctance, but I have always understood that holding public office is a temporary privilege granted by the people, and can never be taken for granted.’’
‘‘I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the Ohariu electorate in its various forms since 1984. I thank my constituents, my supporters, my party, and all those staff members who have worked so loyally and professionally alongside me over the years, but above all, I pay huge thanks to my wife Jennifer, my sons, James and Alastair.
Prime Minister Bill English thanked Dunne for his contribution to the National-led government over the past nine years.
‘‘Mr Dunne rang me earlier today to advise me of his decision to retire at this election,’’ English said.
‘‘I respect his decision. Now we have a clear choice in Ohariu between National’s Brett Hudson and the Labour candidate.
‘‘We will now fight hard to win the seat as well as maximising our party vote in the electorate,’’ he said.
O’connor said it was important to pay tribute to Dunne as a longserving MP who has ‘‘certainly shown me what I now need to be an MP’’.
‘‘I will be learning everything I can from the way he has represented this electorate,’’ he said.
Dunne has been a minister in both National and Labour-led governments – he is currently internal affairs minister and associate minister of health.
His work in the health portfolio has included overseeing changes to loosen the rules around medicinal cannabis and to tighten up on psychoactive substances.
His mantra in the portfolio has been to tackle drugs as a health issue not a criminal issue.
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern held an impromptu news conference immediately following the shock news.
‘‘Anyone who has given such a long time and so much service to the New Zealand public I think, should be thanked’’.
‘‘There’s no doubt our candidate is doing incredibly well, he’s a strong candidate and he’s working very, very hard,’’ she said.
‘‘He’ll continue to work hard and this race just got very, very interesting. Greg is working very hard to earn every single vote, and we still have aspirations to take that seat on election day,’’ Ardern said.