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Christchurch Central MP Tim Barnett has signalled he is considering standing down at the election.
Mr Barnett today said he would not stand in his electorate at the next election, but could still put his name forward for Labour's list.
"In 2008 I will be 50 and will have been in Parliament for 12 years. I have a lot of ambition and many dreams still to live that may or may not be in New Zealand politics."
He said the list gave him greater "freedom of movement" if he chose to stand down.
Mr Barnett, who is also Labour's senior whip, has held the Christchurch Central seat for 11 years.
He received a high profile for his controversial member's bill decriminalising prostitution and had significant input into the equally controversial Civil Union Bill.
However he has repeatedly missed out on a ministerial role.
If Mr Barnett does go it could bring the list of exits from Labour's ranks to 12 by the end of this term.
List MPs Jim Sutton and Georgina Beyer have already gone. Ann Hartley and Dianne Yates have said they will quit at the end of the summer recess, Steve Maharey later next year and Marian Hobbs, Paul Swain, Dover Samuels and Jill Pettis at the election.
Taito Phillip Field resigned from Labour last year and David Benson-Pope faces a strong challenge to win reselection in his Dunedin South seat.
Mr Barnett said he had made the decision not to seek the seat because he wanted to leave his options open.
"I am turning 50 next year, a civil union happening soon, a change of life and just looking for new and interesting challenges," Mr Barnett said.
Floating the idea of standing on the list, left his options open to the end of the summer.
Mr Barnett said he could see some benefits as becoming a list MP as it would allow him more time to advance causes he believed strongly in.
Mr Barnett said he did not feel "unsatisfied" in his political career having not become a Cabinet minister.
It would have been an "interesting" challenge, but "I have used the time to do other things".
His seat was a prime Labour seat and Mr Barnett said it would be interesting who sought to succeed him, but he would not be supporting anyone.
"This is the one time in the cycle when party members have a chance to have a say in these things and I am genuinely keen to sit outside... as a very interested but absolutely neutral observer."
Mr Barnett's civil union ceremony is in two weeks time near Lake Taupo.
"The timing was never intended to be this close to other life decisions, it just all came on at once as is the nature of things."
- NZPA
