Dr Shane Reti to retire from politics at next election

Government Minister and the National Party MP for Whangārei, Dr Shane Reti, has announced he’ll retire from politics at the next general election.

Reti paused a medical career and was elected as the first Māori MP for Whangārei in 2014 and has served four terms across 12 years.

“I want to thank the people of Whangārei for the great privilege of serving them and to my partner and family for their understanding and unconditional contribution to this career,” he says.

“I have always felt valued by the National Party and for that I thank the Prime Minister, local party executive, and my colleagues and staff in Wellington and Whangārei offices for their support over many years as Whangārei MP, deputy leader of the National Party, interim leader of the National Party and as a Minister.

“Highlights include progressing the four lanes to Whangārei and advancing policies that as Minister of Health expanded breast cancer screening for 70-74-year-old New Zealand women and established a third medical school at Waikato [University].

“Reshaping the science and technology sector to look more like other small advanced economies that improves benefits to taxpayers has been a privilege, especially amalgamating the seven Crown Research Institutes into three Public Research Organisations.”

Reti has served as the Minister of Health, Minister for Universities, Minister for Science Innovation and Technology, Minister for Statistics and Minister for Pacific Peoples.

Reti’s announcement follows several other National MPs confirming plans to step down ahead of the 2026 general election. Papakura MP Judith Collins announced in January she will retire from politics in mid-2026 to take up the role of President of the Law Commission, while West Coast-Tasman MP Maureen Pugh has also confirmed she will retire at the election.

New Lynn MP Paulo Garcia announced in December 2025 that he will not seek re-election. Meanwhile, Andrew Bayly has confirmed he will not contest the Port Waikato electorate but is considering remaining in Parliament via the party list.