Nuk Korako - National List MP
15 April 2019
National List MP based in Port Hills, Nuk Korako, today announced he will retire from Parliament.
“It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to work for our Port Hills community. We have shared some trying times together.
The earthquakes, the Port Hills fires and the recent terror attack. I leave knowing our community has grown together and
become stronger.
“Over the past five years I have been privileged to be the Chair of the National Party Māori Caucus, a member of the
Māori Affairs, and Local Government and Environment Select Committees. Since 2017 it has also been a privilege to be the
Party’s Spokesperson for Māori Development and Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations.
“I’m especially proud to have chaired the Māori Affairs Select Committee - shepherding 16 Treaty Settlements to a
conclusion. The Parihaka settlement is a particularly poignant one for me. Te Whiti and the Taranaki men that were
wrongfully imprisoned were looked after by my Rāpaki hapū and so our ties run deep.
Korako ran against long-time Labour MP Ruth Dyson for the Port Hills electorate in 2014 and 2017 with the National’s
Party vote rising considerably. He has also been a vital member of National’s Māori caucus, providing leadership and
guidance to the wider Kahurangi National group which he set up with a new regional structure.
“I wanted to retire now so a new National Party candidate could be selected and have time to get to know the issues and
people of Port Hills well ahead of the election. I expect National to do well in the 2020 race for Port Hills and I will
be there to support the new candidate when they are selected,” Korako says.
“I will miss my friends and parliamentary colleagues from across the House. I've forged strong relationships with the
Māori members on both sides of the house and look forward to those friendships continuing.”
Korako’s focus will now turn to a range of opportunities that he will pursue. He is also looking forward to spending
more time with his wife Chris and their four sons. He will deliver his valedictory speech on May 1st.
ends