Former minister Andrew Bayly says he won’t stand for the National Party nomination in Port Waikato at the election after deciding to move to the South Island.
The National MP, who has held the seat since 2014, said the decision to step aside had not been easy but that the electorate deserved a candidate living in the community.
“I believe it is important that the people of the Port Waikato electorate are represented by someone who is able to live locally and maintain a strong, day-to-day connection with the community,” he said.
“My wife and I love the South Island, which is where we intend to relocate later this year.
Bayly said he would explore the option of standing on the National Party list to remain in Parliament beyond this year’s election. He thanked supporters across his 12 years in the Port Waikato role, saying the electorate had weathered significant challenges together.
“We have been through Covid, numerous cyclones and major flooding events, where people have lost their lives, their homes and livelihoods,” he said.
“It has been tough at times, but I am proud of what we have achieved together.”
The MP quit his ministerial portfolios — including commerce, consumer affairs and ACC — in February 2025 after he inappropriately physically “held” a staff member during an “animated discussion” while at work. Bayly apologised for the incident.
After resigning as a minister for grabbing a staff member, the Port Waikato MP has gone climbing in the Himalayas. (Source: 1News)
He had also drawn controversy in late 2024 after allegedly telling a worker at a winery he was visiting to “take some wine and f*** off”. The worker said at the time Bayly called him a loser and formed the shape of an “L” on his forehead with his fingers.
Bayly would continue to serve as Port Waikato’s MP until the general election.