National's MP for Northland, John Carter, has announced he will resign from politics at the end of this parliamentary term.
Mr Carter has been an MP for 23 years, and is minister for civil defence, senior citizens and racing, and associate minister of local government.
He says civil defence has been a highlight of his career and hopes he was able to give some assurance to the people of Canterbury in the early days after the earthquake.
Mr Carter says he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and family.
