Steven Joyce, National's finance spokesman, has resigned from Parliament.

The resignation comes after his failed leadership contest, which saw Simon Bridges selected as leader.

In a statement, Mr Joyce said he's had a "wonderful" time in Parliament.

There has been some speculation Mr Joyce was about to lose his role as finance spokesperson in Mr Bridges' reshuffle.

Mr Joyce says Mr Bridges offered up a high-ranking portfolio.

"Simon has made a very positive proposal to me to stay and contribute as a senior member of the team on the front bench with a choice of portfolio.

"However I feel that it is time for him to get a new team around him to take National forward and win in 2020 and then govern again for the benefit of all New Zealanders."

Newshub understands Mr Joyce stayed with family in Tauranga last night and met with Mr Bridges this morning to inform him he would be stepping down.

In a statement, Mr Joyce said he will remain a supporter of the National Party.

"Personal highlights of my time in office include setting up major infrastructure projects like ultrafast broadband, the major motorway and expressway projects now coming on stream, and the electrification of Auckland's commuter rail network."

His resignation comes after he sent a letter described as 'threatening' to the NBR on Friday, after it published a Matthew Hooton column that was heavily critical of Mr Joyce. </s> Steven Joyce is to retire from Parliament.

"I have had a wonderful time in this place over the last nearly 10 years including nine years as a minister, and have been privileged to be able to make a real contribution to the development of our country," the National MP said.

"With the recent change of National Party leadership I have had the opportunity to consider again what I would like to do over the next several years."

Simon Bridges' election as National leader had led to his decision to retire.

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Hi all. Today I have announced my retirement from Parliament. I have had a wonderful time in this place over nearly ten years, including nine as a Minister. My plan is to return to commercial life and to focus on being a good Dad for Tommy and Amelia. — Steven Joyce (@stevenljoyce) March 6, 2018

The 54-year-old will return to the commercial sector.

"With the recent change of National Party leadership I have had the opportunity to consider again what I would like to do over the next several years.

"Simon has made a very positive proposal to me to stay and contribute as a senior member of the team on the front bench with a choice of portfolio.

"However I feel that it is time for him to get a new team around him to take National forward and win in 2020 and then govern again for the benefit of all New Zealanders."

Joyce told reporters he had been lucky to have a busy nine years and hoped he had made a contribution to the development of the county.

He had taken time to think over the last few days and decided it was "a fork in the road."

Joyce said he met Bridges in Tauranga this morning to tell him of his decision.

He denied it was a response to Bridges saying he would not get the finance portfolio, saying it was a personal decision.

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Joyce said Bridges had not offered finance but had offered him a choice of other roles on the front bench.

He said he was not sure if he would have stayed even if he did retain the finance portfolio.

Joyce said believed Bridges would "acquit himself well" as National leader.

He said he had no regrets about standing for the leadership - and said he would offer whatever help Bridges asked for.

Joyce denied his decision to quit was a direct response to losing the leadership bid.

"I think if I was in a petulant mood I'd have gone to the backbenches and grown a beard," he said.

"The thing that made me stand for the leadership was I'm really passionate about helping New Zealanders work hard and get ahead."

Joyce said it was not easy to turn his back on that but at some point it had to be done.

He said his career had featured some interesting moments - including the sex toy thrown at him at Waitangi - but said it had been "a blast."

Asked if he regretted claiming Labour had an $11 billion hole in its numbers during last year's election campaign he said "absolutely not."

Asked for his parting words to Finance Minister Grant Robertson, Joyce said he would urge him not to forget the businesses working hard around the country.

Joyce said his crowning achievements included the national broadband rollout, saying it would help New Zealand businesses compete internationally.

His only regret was having Labour repeal National's tax cuts, saying it would mean workers on the average wage paying the top tax rate.

He did not expect he was irreplaceable, saying soon people would say "Steven who?".

Joyce would not list his mistakes: "There's actually lots of mistakes in politics and most of them never go seen."

Asked if he thought he might get a knighthood he said "Oh I don't think so."

Joyce's resignation opens the way for Nicola Willis to enter Parliament.

Today Steven Joyce announced his retirement from our Parliament. His resignation will create a vacancy for the next... Posted by Nicola Willis on Monday, 5 March 2018

Willis was briefly in Parliament late last year but lost her position after the special votes were counted.

She stood in Wellington Central and is highly regarded within National. Willis previously worked as a senior adviser in John Key's office.

A decade at Parliament

Joyce entered Parliament in 2008 and went straight into a role as Cabinet Minister under then Prime Minister John Key. He had offered to assist Bridges and National.

"I have offered to assist in any way I can from outside Parliament and will remain a staunch supporter of the Party."

National MP @stevenljoyce has just announced his retirement from politics. Thank you for your immense contribution to our country and to the @NZNationalParty - you are a huge loss but we wish you all the best. — NZ National Party (@NZNationalParty) March 6, 2018

Joyce has led the party's general election campaigns since 2005.

"I have led the National Party's general election campaign five times as campaign chair and in four of those for John Key and Bill English, we achieved a party vote in excess of 44 per cent, the only time it has happened under MMP.

"And it was an honour to be Bill English's Associate Minister of Finance for eight years before presenting my own Budget in 2017, which continued building the platform for future economic growth and focused on boosting incomes for low- and middle-income earners.

"My plan now is to return to commercial life and seek new challenges and also to focus on being a good Dad to Tommy and Amelia."

Joyce was dubbed the "Minister of Everything" and "Super Minister" after he created the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. He was Minister of Economic Development before becoming Finance Minister in 2016 after Key left.

He also gained fame for more ridiculous elements. He featured on US-based John Oliver's talk show for his assessment of the Eminemesque soundtrack National used in its 2014 campaign as "pretty legal". He also featured on the show for having a novelty dildo thrown in his face at Waitangi.

Someone John Key and Bill English turned to

The man who beat Joyce to the National leadership, Simon Bridges, thanked the departing MP for his service to the party.

"Steven has made a huge contribution during his 15-year political career, including in the last decade in Parliament. In that time he has proven an exceptional minister, colleague, advisor and political strategist," Bridges said.

"As a minister, Steven has played a major role in helping create a stronger New Zealand, particularly in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis."

Thank you @stevenljoyce for your service to NZ and the @NZNationalParty. You’ve made a huge contribution during your 15 year political career. I wish you all the best. — Simon Bridges (@simonjbridges) March 6, 2018

Bridges said Joyce had played a large part in rebuilding the National Party.

"He was someone John Key and Bill English turned to for advice and to get things done. That meant he was given tough tasks but he consistently rose to those challenges. And I will also continue to use him as a sounding board as the National Party looks to 2020.

"He played a major role in rebuilding the National Party, leading the past five elections and helping turn National into New Zealand's largest and most popular political party.

"Steven is a huge loss to Parliament and to the National Party and I want to thank him for his immense contribution to New Zealand, and his wife Suzanne and their children for sharing them with us. We wish him all the best."

Former National leader Bill English said Joyce has been at the heart of the rebuild of National after 2002.

"He has made a massive contribution to his party and his country. I'm confident others will come forward to fill the huge gap he leaves in the National Party."

Labour MP and Finance Minister Grant Robertson tweeted his former rival: "All the best for the future Steven. It has been (mostly) fun sparring with you."

All the best for the future Steven. It has been (mostly) fun sparring with you😉 — Grant Robertson (@grantrobertson1) March 6, 2018

Robertson and Joyce had crossed swords during the last campaign over Joyce's claims of an $11 billion 'hole' in Labour's fiscal plan.

NZ First leader Winston Peters – an old nemesis of Joyce's – said Joyce's resignation was predictable.

"After all, he ran for the head job in the National Party, failed, and clearly has sought a high position even so and I don't think he's going to get it and I think this is the beginning of the in-fighting for the National Party."

He said Joyce would give the usual reasons such as family or a career for resigning "but basically this is political strife and it's shown itself and this is only the beginning of it."

He said Joyce had "certain serious qualities."

"There's no doubt about that. But being the micro-manager of a trickle down disaster is not the best legacy."

He said Joyce was "a black ops man." "And I don't like that sort of politics. We like it out front, face to face with people."

He said he would find out in the course of time whether Joyce was the leak of his super details, something Peters has said he will launch further legal action over soon.

He dismissed questions about whether he would be more open to working with National without Joyce, saying he was busy ensuring a new Government worked.

National Party President Peter Goodfellow has also acknowledged Joyce, saying he would miss his wit and leadership since Joyce became General Manager of the party in 2003.

"We are incredibly grateful for his service, knowledge, and experience over those years. National would not be as successful, united, and popular as we are today without the hard work that Steven has put in behind the scenes." </s> "Steven has made a huge contribution during his 15 year political career, including in the last decade in Parliament. In that time he has proven an exceptional minister, colleague, advisor and political strategist," Mr Bridges said.

"As a minister, Steven has played a major role in helping create a stronger New Zealand, particularly in the aftermath of the global financial crisis," he said.

Mr Bridges said among Mr Joyce's many successes, he oversaw the rollout of the ultra-fast broadband programme.

As Science and Innovation Minister he worked with the private sector to substantially lift investment in R and D, and as Transport Minister helped make New Zealand's roads safer and more resilient, through initiatives like the Roads of National Significance.

Mr Bridges said Mr Joyce was someone both John Key and Bill English turned to for advice and to get things done.

"That meant he was given some tough tasks but he consistently rose to those challenges. And I will also continue to use him as a sounding board as the National Party looks to 2020.

"He played a major role in rebuilding the National Party, leading the past five elections and helping turn National into New Zealand's largest and most popular political party," he said.

"Steven is a huge loss to Parliament and to the National Party and I want to thank him for his immense contribution to New Zealand, and his wife Suzanne and their children for sharing them with us. We wish him all the best."

Mr Joyce had been told he would retain a front bench position in Mr Bridges' reshuffle, but wouldn't be getting the plum finance portfolio.

"No he didn't offer me finance, and that's alright. And I'm not even sure if I had been offered it I would have stayed the full two-and-a-half years," Mr Joyce said.

And he insists he has confidence in Mr Bridges as National's new leader.

"I think if I was in a petulant mood, I'd probably go to the backbenches, grow a beard and sit their fuming for a while," Mr Joyce said. </s> "I have had a wonderful time in this place over the last nearly ten years including nine years as a Minister, and have been privileged to be able to make a real contribution to the development of our country," Mr Joyce said in a statement released this afternoon.

"With the recent change of National Party leadership I have had the opportunity to consider again what I would like to do over the next several years."

"Simon has made a very positive proposal to me to stay and contribute as a senior member of the team on the front bench with a choice of portfolio.

"However I feel that it is time for him to get a new team around him to take National forward and win in 2020 and then govern again for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

"I have offered to assist in any way I can from outside parliament and will remain a staunch supporter of the Party."

Mr Joyce said personal highlights of his political career were "setting up major infrastructure projects like ultrafast broadband, the major motorway and expressway projects now coming on stream, and the electrification of Auckland’s commuter rail network".

"Steven is a huge loss to Parliament and to the National Party and I want to thank him for his immense contribution to New Zealand, and his wife Suzanne and their children for sharing them with us. We wish him all the best."

When asked who he would like to be offered the National Party finance portfolio, Mr Joyce said it wasn't his place to answer.

2:52pm: Mr Joyce says his family has been very supportive of his decision and will be expecting more vegetables out of the garden now.

2:43pm: His retirement from Parliament will take place after the next session in the House where he will give a valedictory speech.

"I have been very lucky to have nine and a bit year in this Parliament and hopefully make a contribution to this country." </s> Michael McCormack of the National Party on Monday replaced Barnaby Joyce as Australia's Deputy Prime Minister.

Joyce announced his resignation on Friday after an allegation of sexual harassment against him was revealed by the National Party, which followed the fallout over an affair he had with a former employee, who is now his partner and is pregnant with his child. </s> Former New Zealand prime minister Bill English resigns from politics

New Zealand's opposition leader Bill English is quitting after losing last year's election.

The former prime minister said he was resigning as leader of the conservative National Party and leaving Parliament.

Mr English served as a politician for 27 years and took the reins as prime minister in December 2016 after his predecessor John Key resigned.

At the September election, Mr English sought to extend a nine-year hold on power for his party.

On election night, he appeared triumphant after National won the most votes of any party.

But the celebrations were short-lived, and the Labour Party went on to strike an alliance with two smaller parties and form a government under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Mr English served eight years as finance minister before taking the top job. </s> Steven Joyce has revealed he was offered his choice of shadow portfolios, except finance, by new National leader Simon Bridges, but says those options didn't pose a satisfactory challenge.

Mr Joyce said even if he had been offered his desired finance portfolio, which he served as the National's Minister for during their last year in government, he would likely have departed before the next election.

"Well actually I was given my choice of portfolios, not finance but pretty much everything else," he told TVNZ 1's Breakfast show.

"That's what Simon said, I didn't test it and ask for one but he did say that he really wanted me as part of the team, front bench, and any portfolio as long as it wasn't finance.

'I said thank you, because I think it is a generous offer, but just decided there was a fork in the road and, you know, just a few things signaling to me I'd had my time and had some other things to look forward to."

Mr Joyce denied his decision to leave politics was due to the recent attrition in the National caucus, and that he was running out of allies within the party.

"No not at all, in fact one of the best things about standing for the leadership is a lot of people, and don't necessarily believe all the sprucing from all the sides on how brilliantly they did, but a lot of people were very supportive and spoke well and voted for me as well."

Mr Joyce would, however, not reveal how many of the 56 National MPs voted for him, citing it as a "sate secret".

He did say that he definitely would have entered the leadership race if he'd had his time again.

Mr Bridges assumed the National leadership last week, and said it only took two rounds of voting for him to receive the majority of votes required to defeat the other four leadership candidates. </s> SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said on Friday he will resign as leader of his party and will move to the backbench after weeks of pressure over an extra-marital affair with his former media secretary.

Joyce said he will step down on Monday as leader of the National party, the junior partner in Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s centre-right coalition. He will remain in parliament, safeguarding Turnbull’s shaky one-seat majority.

Joyce, a practising Catholic, has been married for 24 years and has campaigned on “family values”. </s> Mr Joyce was first elected as an MP in 2008. He's leaving after missing out on National's leadership race last month to Simon Bridges.

"I have had a wonderful time in this place over the last nearly ten years including nine years as a Minister, and have been privileged to be able to make a real contribution to the development of our country," Mr Joyce said in a statement released this afternoon.

"With the recent change of National Party leadership I have had the opportunity to consider again what I would like to do over the next several years."

Mr Joyce also revealed that he had been offered a senior role under the new leadership of Mr Bridges.

"Simon has made a very positive proposal to me to stay and contribute as a senior member of the team on the front bench with a choice of portfolio.

"However I feel that it is time for him to get a new team around him to take National forward and win in 2020 and then govern again for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

"I have offered to assist in any way I can from outside parliament and will remain a staunch supporter of the Party."

Mr Joyce said personal highlights of his political career were "setting up major infrastructure projects like ultrafast broadband, the major motorway and expressway projects now coming on stream, and the electrification of Auckland’s commuter rail network".

New National Party leader Simon Bridges was quick to thank Mr Joyce for his service to New Zealand and the National Party.

"He played a major role in rebuilding the National Party, leading the past five elections and helping turn National into New Zealand's largest and most popular political party.

"Steven is a huge loss to Parliament and to the National Party and I want to thank him for his immense contribution to New Zealand, and his wife Suzanne and their children for sharing them with us. We wish him all the best."
National Party politician and former Minister of Finance Steven Joyce resigns from parliament.