PMat odds with Parata over why she’s quit

Prime Minister John Key hasn’t backed off from his comments that Education Minister Hekia Parata’s husband’s health was a factor in her resignation.

Parata has spoken with Key about his comments that her husband – public service high-flyer Sir Wira Gardiner – had health issues that may have played a role.

Key has again maintained that it was a consideration in her decision not to stand in next year’s election despite Parata rejecting the suggestion.

Parata stands by her comments – when she announced her intentions not to run again – that neither she nor her husband have health concerns.

However, Key told Mediaworks on Thursday morning that being Education Minister is ‘‘tough’’ and Gardiner’s health would have been on her mind.

‘‘Her husband Wira Gardiner – who’s a great man – but he’s in his early 70s, he’s had a couple of health issues recently. And I think it’s a combination of, she came to a job and she’s done a lot of what she [planned] – you never get the job done, but she’s done a lot,’’ he said.

‘‘And secondly I think she’s really felt [in need of] a bit more of a work-life balance, I think.’’

Parata says she spoke to Key and understood he was ‘‘referring to the fact we all age and clearly we are all ageing’’.

‘‘I don’t think the Prime Minister was questioning his health.’’

‘‘My husband is healthy, he’s very relaxed about the Prime Minister’s comments and so am I,’’ she said.

Parata said she’d committed a decade to politics, and it was time to move on.