March 25, 2026

#gone: Brooke van Velden to step away from politics at next election

Matthew Tukaki Posted On March 25, 2026

ACT deputy leader and Tāmaki MP Brooke van Velden has announced she will not seek re-election, confirming she will step away from Parliament at the upcoming general election later this year.

The announcement was made following a sudden press conference, with van Velden signalling her intention to leave politics after nearly a decade in and around Parliament.

Van Velden, who currently serves as Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations, said the decision was driven by a desire to explore opportunities beyond politics, particularly in the private sector.

Despite stepping down, she will remain in her ministerial roles and continue serving as the MP for Tāmaki until the election, ensuring continuity in her portfolios and electorate responsibilities.

Her departure marks the end of a significant period within the ACT Party, where she has served as deputy leader for six years and played a central role in the party’s growth from a minor presence in Parliament to a key partner in Government.

Van Velden entered Parliament in 2020 and has since built a profile across several major policy areas, including workplace relations and regulatory reform. She was also closely involved in earlier legislative work alongside ACT leader David Seymour, contributing to the party’s broader policy platform.

The decision comes ahead of the 2026 general election, scheduled for November, where all 120 seats in Parliament will be contested.

Her exit creates an opening in the Tāmaki electorate, one of ACT’s key seats, and is expected to trigger a competitive selection process within the party. ACT has indicated it will begin the process of selecting a new candidate in the coming weeks, while also preparing to appoint a new deputy leader ahead of the election campaign.

Within the party, her departure has been described as a significant moment, reflecting both her contribution to ACT’s rise in recent years and the challenge of maintaining momentum heading into the next election.

Van Velden has indicated she may return to public service in the future, but for now, her focus will remain on completing her current term and supporting the party through the election campaign.

Her decision adds to a growing list of political departures ahead of 2026, signalling a period of transition across Parliament as parties reshape their line-ups and prepare for what is shaping as a highly contested election year.