Labour MP Duncan Webb to resign as MP, won’t seek re-election

Labour MP Duncan Webb has confirmed he will not be standing in Christchurch Central in 2026. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Senior Labour MP Duncan Webb will resign from politics, confirming today he will not contest his Christchurch Central seat in the 2026 election.

Webb, in a statement released at about midday, said he wouldn’t be “slowing down before the election” and would remain as the MP but wants to leave politics once the term has concluded.

“I have put a lot of thought into this decision,” his statement read.

“I particularly love the justice portfolio and would like to thank Labour leader Chris Hipkins for putting his trust in me to do it, as well as my Labour caucus colleagues, who are a fantastic bunch to work the relentless days and long nights with.

“But I’ve decided I am going to take a break and then do something else. I want to spend more time adventuring, exploring nature, hiking, skiing and mountain biking with my partner and now-adult sons.”

Webb said he would then “see what’s out there”, saying he believed he had “another exciting career in me yet”.

Hipkins told reporters it had come as a “bit of a surprise” when he spoke with Webb a few weeks ago.

“I indicated to him I was very sad to see him go.

“I would have loved him to stay, he would have certainly been a minister should we win the next election, had he decided to stay.”

Hipkins said Webb had assured him the decision was not informed by “politics or personality”, claiming there was no scandal behind the decision.

Webb has held the Christchurch Central seat since 2017. He was a minister in the last Labour Government, holding the portfolios of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and State-Owned Enterprises. He was also the chief whip.

In August, senior Labour MP Megan Woods said she would not contest her Wigram seat, which she’s held for 15 years, in the 2026 election.

In a social media post, Woods confirmed after “deep reflection” she would not seek the Christchurch seat next year, but would remain on Labour’s list.

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.