The National Party list MP Rotorua and opposition spokesperson on defence Max Bradford has decided to retire from Parliament at the end of the current term.
Mr Bradford was a cabinet minister from December 1996, after winning the Rotorua seat for the National Party by 5896 votes in the October
1996 election.
He was appointed Minister for Enterprise and Commerce in August 1998, Minister for Tertiary Education in January 1999, Minister of Defence in December 1997, and was sixth most senior member of the Cabinet.
A career in finance, economics and employment preceded Mr Bradford's entry into Parliament, in 1990 as the MP for Tarawera.
After entering Parliament, he was involved in reforming New Zealand's labour market, and in the areas of immigration and accident compensation.
Mr Bradford says an irresistible pull in making his decision was the opportunity to spend more time with his wife, Rosemary, family and friends, and to devote time to personal and business affairs.
