One of the leading figures of the last Labour Government has resigned.
Former Labour deputy leader Kelvin Davis is quitting politics, his colleague Ginny Andersen confirmed to AM on Friday.
Davis, who first entered politics in 2008, lost his Te Tai Tokerau seat in October to Te Pāti Māori.
It's believed his last engagement will be Waitangi.
Andersen said Davis is taking up a job in Australia specialising in indigenous relations.
"It's really sad to lose Kelvin," she told AM. "He's been a real asset to our team and, personally, he's a good mate so I'll be really sad to see him go."
Davis subsequently confirmed his departure in a statement.
"Having been an MP since 2008 and now that we are no longer in Government, it is time to move on to other opportunities," he said.
"Huge progress was made in making the Government a better Treaty partner.
"Although that progress is currently under threat with this new Government, I leave knowing that our strong Labour team will hold the Coalition Government to account."
Davis had already confirmed last month he was stepping aside from the Labour deputy leader position. He was replaced by former deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni.
He was first elected the party's deputy leader in 2017 alongside Jacinda Ardern after Andrew Little stepped aside.
Davis, 56, entered Parliament on the Labour list in 2008 but retired from politics in 2011 after losing three times to Hone Harawira in the Te Tai Tokerau seat.
He re-entered Parliament on the Labour list in 2014, when Shane Jones resigned and finally defeated Harawira for Te Tai Tokerau at the general election later that year. He went on to win the seat again in 2017 and 2020.
During his time in Government, he's been a Minister of Children, Corrections, Crown/Māori Relations, Māori Education and Tourism. Davis said he was "proud of what we delivered" during his time in those roles.
