KEY POINTS:
The relentless demands of political life have wrecked yet another marriage - this time Labour Minister Trevor Mallard and his wife Stephanie have parted ways.
The Mallards' recent breakup is the latest in a string of failed parliamentary marriages over the past five years, highlighting the difficulties MPs
face in juggling political and family life.
Mallard, the outspoken associate Minister of Finance and Minister of Sport, confirmed to the Herald on Sunday that he and Stephanie had separated. The couple have three adult children including 26-year-old Black Fern Beth Mallard.
Stephanie, a senior lecturer at Victoria University, declined to comment.
It is understood the couple called it quits several months ago.
Trevor Mallard joins a growing list of MPs who have run into marriage difficulties in the past two parliamentary terms. The most recent marriage bust-up involved Act leader and Epsom MP Rodney Hide, who split from his Singaporean-born wife Jiuan Jiuan in March after 23 years together.
Other MPs and ex-MPs to split from their partners in recent years include Nick Smith, Damian O'Connor, Roger Sowry, Lynda Scott, John Carter and Richard Prebble.
Former National leader Don Brash also had marriage difficulties during his time in office, following widespread speculation about his friendship with Auckland businesswoman Diane Foreman.
Hide told the Herald on Sunday political life could take a toll on a marriage, especially when the MP was away from home for most of the week.
Many MPs had little more than half a day a week to spend with their families and often that time was interrupted with constituents' phone calls and the many other demands of public duty.
"I don't think it is tough on the MP, but it is on their family.
"There are a lot of demands on an MP's time that eat into evenings and the weekends so it's tough for husbands, wives and children," Hide said.
"I know some MPs try and cut the phone out, but people do think they can call on you 24/7 regardless of what is going on.
"You also find you have to help people in an emergency situation, and that often cuts into family time."
For cabinet ministers such as Mallard there was the extra demand of overseas travel, which made things "very tough".
Northland MP John Carter, who has had two failed marriages, said an MP's workload often meant there was little time for anything else. For him, the added burden of travelling between Wellington and his remote Northland electorate created added stress.
Psychologist Sara Chatwin, a marriage counselling expert, believed there were other important issues to consider. A lack of anonymity and privacy placed great strain on a relationship, especially when one party in the relationship was not used to having their every move scrutinised.
"When people get into politics they have a certain understanding they are going to be in the limelight, but that doesn't mean their partners and family members have that same understanding, or desire to be part of the circus," she said.
"So that lack of privacy and feeling you are under the microscope is not something that necessarily augurs well for a healthy marriage."