Hon. Jacqui Dean, MP for Waitaki, has announced this morning that she will not be putting her name forward at the 2023 election.

In a media statement Jacqui said she has advised the President and Leader of the National Party that she has decided not to put her name forward at the 2023 election, giving the party plenty of time to select a candidate to stand in the Waitaki electorate.

“Waitaki is one of the largest electorates in New Zealand covering Central Otago, the Mackenzie District, Waitaki and parts of South Canterbury. It’s a vast electorate and I have loved representing every inch of it.

“The reality is that I’ve spent the past 25 years in public service – first in local government and then as a member of parliament. It’s a long time by anyone’s standards so now feels like the right time to signal my intention to move on, " Jacqui said.

“I feel proud of the contribution I’ve been able to make over my 17 years as an MP in the Government of the Rt Hon Sir John Key, as Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister under Hon Sir Bill English, and more latterly in opposition as National’s Spokesperson for Conservation, alongside my role as Assistant Speaker.

“I will do everything I can in the next 18 months to support Christopher Luxon, Nicola Willis and my caucus colleagues..."

Before her election to Parliament in 2005, Ms Dean was a Waitaki District Councillor and deputy mayor.

She is married to Oamaru lawyer Bill Dean and the couple have three adult children and three grandchildren.