The New Zealand minister of Pacific Island affairs, Georgina te Heu Heu, has announced that she will retire from politics at the end of the current term, which is expected to be in November.
Mrs te Heu Heu, who is also the minister for disarmament and arms control, says now is a good time to go.
She has been a member of the caucus of the National Party for 15 years and served under three prime ministers.
Mrs te Heuheu was the first Maori woman to gain a law degree and be admitted to the High Court as barrister and solicitor.
