Labour's Ross Robertson is to retire from Parliament at the next election in 2014 and stand for his local body board in Auckland this year.
The long-serving MP for Manukau East says he wants to be involved in local politics and will stand for the Otara/Papetoetoe local board.
However, he says if successful, he won't stand down from being an MP as he wouldn't want to force a $500,000 by-election on the country.
Mr Robertson says local issues have become more important for him than national ones. He says people are asking him many questions about Auckland's Unitary Plan and whether their rights will be protected, and it is his intention to ensure that they are.
He says he's had a long career and privileged position by being an assistant Speaker for 10 years.
