National MP Tony Ryall has announced he is stepping down from his role
National MP Tony Ryall has announced he is stepping down from his role
Bay of Plenty MP and Health Minister Tony Ryall is planning a new career outside Parliament.
Mr Ryall, 49, yesterday announced he was stepping down as an MP after 24 years in politics and is seeking a private sector career.
"I want to build a second career and this is the year to do it ... I haven't got this big thing of turning 50," he told the Bay of Plenty Times.
The MP who became a byword for sartorial splendour with his shirt and tie combinations, will not seek re-election for the safe National seat he has held since 1996.
"It is the right time for me, and my wife and children fully support what I am doing."
Mr Ryall said he had gained a lot of skills and experience that he hoped would translate into a private sector career. "However, I don't expect to end up in the health sector."
He has been Minister of Health since National took office in 2008, overseeing significant changes which led to record levels of elective surgery.
His announcement will end a parliamentary career that saw him promoted into the Cabinet led by Jenny Shipley in 1997, after she deposed Jim Bolger.
Among the portfolios he took over at the age of 33 was State Owned Enterprises - a job he holds to the present day and which included helping to oversee the partial sales programme of energy companies.
Image 1 of 10: Minister of health Tony Ryall visits Hawkes Bay Hospital in Hastings with their new $1.7 million renal service for patients receiving dialysis treatment at Ballentyne House
Quizzed about whether he was now considered to be a part of the old guard under pressure from young turks within National's ranks, Mr Ryall said: "I never considered myself in the old guard. I am still in the younger half of Cabinet."
Mr Ryall, who discussed his retirement plans with Prime Minister John Key about two weeks ago, said he would continue to focus on his portfolios and getting National re-elected, and would not start looking at his future until the election drew closer.
He timed his announcement to allow the party to select a new candidate for the seat, which he held with a massive 17,760 majority in the 2011 election. The branch will advertise for candidates next month and select his replacement in May.
Mr Ryall said there were a lot of good people ready to step forward and he had no fears that stepping down would erode National support in the electorate.
"It has been the greatest privilege to represent the people of the Bay of Plenty."
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges said Mr Ryall would be a huge loss to the Government and Parliament. He had been a consistent vote winner, who had built the electorate into a National stronghold.
Mr Bridges said he was already receiving texts from people about the selection of the candidate to replace Mr Ryall. "I expect this will be a highly sought after selection, with a lot of interest from our area and further afield."
He said locals had the inside running when it came to selecting a candidate but the party had to look at the calibre of all nominees and pick the best.
