Former National Party leader Simon Bridges says his time in politics is up and he’s heading back to Tauranga to spend more time with his family.
At a press conference this afternoon he said at age 45, he was looking forward to his best years and spending more time with his children.
Under new leader Christopher Luxon, National has the wind in its sails, and leaving now would give Mr Luxon and the party time to prepare ahead of the 2023 election.
It means National must find a new finance spokesperson as well as contest a by-election in Tauranga.
Mr Bridges, who has Maniapoto whakapapa, was National’s first Māori leader.
