In a significant political development ahead of Waitangi Day and the 2026 general election, senior Labour MP Peeni Henare has announced he will leave Parliament in the coming weeks, stepping away from politics after more than a decade of service.
According to reports, Henare – who has represented the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate and served as a cabinet minister in portfolios including Whānau Ora, Defence and Māori-Crown relations – has not put his name forward to be Labour’s candidate for his former seat or for a place on the party list in this year’s election.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins acknowledged the announcement at an event in Waitangi, saying Henare made his own decision about his future. When asked whether the party supported him as a candidate, Hipkins declined to comment in detail.
Henare said his decision followed a “tough” loss in last year’s Tāmaki Makaurau by-election – a contest he entered after the passing of Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp – and was made after careful consideration and kōrero with his whānau. He said it was “time to take a step back from politics” and focus on his wellbeing, family and future.
During his parliamentary career, Henare held multiple high-profile roles and was known for championing issues for whānau, Māori health and Māori-Crown relationships. His departure leaves Labour needing to select a new candidate for the Tāmaki Makaurau Māori electorate, a seat he held for nearly a decade before losing it in recent contests.
Henare’s exit comes at a time when Māori electorates are a major focus for all political parties ahead of the general election, with competition for Māori votes intensifying and signalling how crucial Māori representation and issues remain in the national political landscape.
As Peeni Henare prepares to leave Parliament, many will reflect on his years of service and what his departure means for the future of Māori political leadership – especially in Tāmaki Makaurau, a seat long regarded as a bellwether for Māori political sentiment.
