I have announced today that I will not be seeking re-election to Parliament later this year.

Invercargill is a diverse and interesting seat to represent and it has been an exciting and interesting responsibility, but I believe it is time to move on.

It has been a privilege to be part of a wider group of Southland leaders who have seen Southland grow and achieve one of the lowest unemployment levels in the country.

Not long after I first became an MP, economist Tony Alexander wrote a column on Invercargill, which more or less instructed the last one to leave Invercargill to turn out the lights.  The census last year showed Southland is achieving growth, I am sure we can look forward to Southland and Invercargill continuing to be a force that punches above its weight.