National Party MPs Ian McKelvie and David Bennett have announced they will retire at the next election.
Ian McKelvie and David Bennett. Photo: RNZ
Rangitīkei MP Ian McKelvie will stand down next year.
He has held the electorate since 2011, before which he was mayor of Manawatū.
"I've spent the last 20 years in public service. I have always been a passionate advocate for the people of Rangitīkei, and for the interests of rural and provincial New Zealand. This role is both an honour and a privilege.
"In my time, I have had three members' bills pass through the House which I have been incredibly proud of - ranging from livestock rustling, speeding up court processing for dog control offences, and giving racegoers the option to BYO drinks, if a club holds an appropriate liquor licence.
"I look forward to continuing to serve all those who call Rangitīkei home until next year's general election, and speaking up for our region, interests and people in Parliament. New Zealand needs a National government that gets things done."
List MP David Bennett also said he would not run in 2023.
Bennett was first elected to Parliament in 2005, when he won the Hamilton East seat. He held the electorate for 15 years.
In the previous National government, Bennett held ministerial portfolios including Food Safety, Veterans Affairs, Racing and Associate Transport.
"As the longest serving MP in the history of the city, it has been a true honour to represent National," he said.
"I came in with a focus of delivering infrastructure so Hamilton can take advantage of its geographical proximity in the golden triangle of growth of population, economy and industry for New Zealand.
"Central to achieving this dream was to build the Waikato Expressway. As the leading advocate for this project, it has been transformational for Hamilton and the region, and will continue to deliver growth for the next generation.
"It was an honour to serve as a minister in the last National government, as well as perform various select committee roles during my time in Parliament, including promoting changes to DIRA to enable open exit but limited entry to Fonterra."
Bennett said he was looking forward to spending time with his family and in the farming sector.
He rejected the suggestion he had been asked to leave.
"No, I'm making this my own decision, as we've said. You know, I've got a family now and it's a great honour to have a young one ... this is a difficult environment if you've got a young family, you're away three days a week and to be honest if you want to do your job in your electorate you're out every night as well," he said.
"I had some definite goals when I came into politics, I've achieved those for Hamilton, and Hamilton's in a great space as a result of that so I'm very happy to move on at this time."
McKelvie also said it had been his own decision to leave.
"My teeth - you know, if I was an old ewe I'd be culled - I think pretty much I've done my time in public life and I've had a great run, I've enjoyed it, and I suppose to get out of here not out is a great achievement in itself."
"It's a decision that I almost made in the last term of Parliament and ... had my mind changed for me. I've now made a decision and I'm happy, well I'm very happy, in fact I'm excited about where I might get to. I've got a year or two left, I hope, and so we'll see what happens."
He said he had no regrets, but he would have liked to see Parliament become more collegial both from a party and a policy perspective.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to both men, saying they would be missed.
"Both David and Ian have been absolute stalwarts for their local communities, and have worked incredibly hard to give their constituents a voice in Wellington.
"Thank you both for your commitment and service to the people of New Zealand. You will be missed."
He also rejected having put pressure on them to leave.
"The reality is these individuals have made their own independent decisions and I think it's great that they've given us time."
