Labour MP Kiri Allan has announced she'll be leaving politics for the foreseeable future, deciding not to run in October's election following her arrest over a car crash.
Her departure - and the ripple effects it's created - has the Opposition raising questions about the stability of the Government, particularly after one of Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' senior ministers resigned his portfolio over the call to can the wealth tax.
Ministers were in the House on Tuesday afternoon reluctantly rising to debate their mate's mental health.
"It is with regret and a heavy heart that I rise to speak," said Grant Robertson.
"We did not need to have this type of debate today," said Willie Jackson.
Afterwards, Jackson, Allan's close friend and confidant, was holding back tears.
"This is such a sensitive issue and we've got someone who's going through a terrible time at the moment," Jackson said.
It was after listening to a personal struggle becoming political.
"There has been a series of daily drama within this Cabinet," said National leader Christopher Luxon.
"We now have a Government that has no more gas left in the tank. It can't even field a full Cabinet," said ACT leader David Seymour.
Asked what his message was to people who might be politicising the situation with Allan, Jackson told Newshub: "To stop it. To stop it. Because she is clearly going through hell at the moment. She doesn't deserve this."
Just last week, Allan was back at work owning and opening up about her personal battles.
"I've struggled with my mental health a good part of my adult life, that's something that I try not to shy away from," she said.
She'd taken some time out but unfortunately, it wasn't enough.
"We all had our doubts but in the end she made it clear she wanted to come back," said Jackson.
Come Sunday just been and she was struggling again.
"On Sunday I was very sad because she got in touch with me at 6pm and said she was a bit lonely and she wanted to go for a kai and I wasn't in Wellington at the time," Jackson said.
As we now know, that night ended at the police station and her arrest ended her ministerial career.
"The offending over the weekend was serious and should be taken seriously," said Hipkins.
He ruled out ever having Allan back as a minister under his leadership.
So on Tuesday she bowed out of politics altogether.
"For now, it's time to step out of the arena. Im not sure how long for, or if I'll return," Allan posted to Instagram.
"I have decided I will not stand again in the East Coast electorate for this year's election. I need to take time to heal myself."
Jackson said: "I know that she's sick and I think that she needs to take a lot of time out."
Hipkins acknowledged it was a "very difficult decision" for Allan.
Allan apologised to the Prime Minister.
"I have undermined you and the trust you placed in me to do an important job for New Zealand. I cannot express the remorse I feel. I am so, so sorry."
Asked if it felt like Labour was starting to lose the election, Hipkins said: "No, we've still got 80 days to go until the election."
"We've got a big job ahead of us to make sure that we put our best foot forward," he added.
That's hard when every time they put out a good foot, it's stomped on by a bad one.
On Monday, David Parker was removed as revenue minister - at his request - because he disagreed with Hipkins killing off a wealth tax.
It's a public display of dissent.
"I thought it was untenable for me to continue so I suggested to Chris [Hipkins] that it's in the best interests of him and the party that someone else takes that role," Parker said on Tuesday.
Hipkins said he was certain Parker would be an MP after the election.
Luxon said: "I think it's just another daily soap opera isn't it really. I mean it's a Cabinet in Chaos."
Hipkins denied that was the case.
Regaining control of the Cabinet will be a key part of retaining the keys to the Beehive.
