National’s Barry on why she’s getting out of the House

National MP Maggie Barry will not seek re-election and will retire from Parliament in 2020.

The former TV presenter has held the North Shore seat for three terms.

Barry has also been at the forefront of opposition to the voluntary euthanasia bill, which is expected to have its third reading next week. Her departure means National will need to find a candidate for the North Shore electorate — one of its safest seats.

Barry, 60, with husband Grant Kerr, told reporters it had been a tough decision: “Now it’s time to do some other things. My husband Grant and I are looking forward to spending a few months of the year overseas.”

She said her National colleagues were surprised when she told them yesterday she was leaving. But she had known she was in Parliament for “a good time, not a long time”.

Barry was Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Minister of Conservation, and Minister for Senior Citizens. She cited the campaign to be predator-free by 2050 as one of the things of which she was most proud, as well as raising awareness of elder abuse. Another highlight was being responsible for the World War I commemorations as Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister.

She has had a relatively turbulent term, with former staffers accusing her of bullying and of asking them to do National Party work — which would be illegal. Barry denied any wrongdoing and a Parliamentary Service investigation largely cleared her.

Barry is the 10th National MP to announce their exit since it came into Opposition in 2017. This others are: Jonathan Coleman, Steven Joyce, Bill English, Chris Finlayson, Jami-Lee Ross, Nuk Korako, Amy Adams, Alastair Scott and Nathan Guy.