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Senior Labour MP Peeni Henare is leaving politics after not putting his hand up for his former Tāmaki Makaurau seat or for a place on the Labour Party’s list.

Henare will leave Parliament in the coming weeks.

His decision comes after a “tough” loss in last year’s Tāmaki Makaurau byelection and ahead of the November 7 general election, meaning the party will need to nominate another candidate for the seat Henare held for more than a decade.

“Last year was tough after losing the byelection and after careful consideration and kōrero with my whānau over the break, I have decided that it is time for me to take a step back from politics,” Henare said.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Chris Hipkins is yet to say whether the party had confidence he would win his old seat.

Hipkins, speaking at Waitangi alongside Greens co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chloe Swarbrick, confirmed he was aware of Henare’s decision after the pair had conversations in the last two weeks.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins (left) and MP Peeni Henare, pictured outside of Te Māhurehure Marae in Auckland in September 2025. Photo / Alyse Wright

However, at that press conference, Hipkins wouldn’t answer when asked if the party hadn’t supported Henare to contest Tāmaki Makaurau again.

“Peeni has already announced that he didn’t put his name forward for the Tāmaki Makaurau nomination for Labour,” Hipkins said.

“I’ve always been really clear, and my position stays the same today, that MPs make their own decisions and own announcements about their futures and then I’m happy to comment on them once they’ve done that, but I don’t do that on their behalf.”

Pressed on the party’s position, Hipkins refused to elaborate.

“I’m not going to be commenting further on the matter until Peeni himself has made further public comments on it.”

Hipkins dismissed the suggestion that not expressing confidence in the former Labour minister indicated he did not have confidence in Henare.

Henare said the decision to leave Parliament would allow him to focus on his wellbeing, his family and his future.

“It has been an honour to be a Labour MP and serve as a minister for six years, I’m proud of our record in Government and I know the next Labour Government will continue the hard mahi [work].”

Henare held the Auckland Māori seat for almost a decade before losing it to Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Tarsh Kemp, who passed away last year.

Last year, Henare spoke about how regaining the Auckland Māori seat of Tāmaki Makaurau in the byelection that was triggered by Kemp’s passing would be a “redemption journey.”

“I want it even more now. I have grown and learned a lot ... and now I feel even better equipped to be able to represent Tāmaki Makaurau.”

Henare went on to lose the seat again in the 2023 byelection to newcomer Oriini Kaipara, who stood for Te Pāti Māori.

Henare has held several high-profile portfolios, including defence, social development, Whānau Ora and being the Associate Minister of Health.