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Independent MP Gordon Copeland said today he was stepping down as co-leader of Future New Zealand, now called The Kiwi Party.
Mr Copeland said he had stepped aside as co-leader to focus on his responsibilities as an independent MP and deputy chairman of Parliament's commerce select committee during what would be a busy election year.
However, Mr Copeland said he would continue to serve on the party's board and would stand as a candidate for the party at the election.
Former United Future MP Larry Baldock had been confirmed as leader of The Kiwi Party.
Mr Copeland quit United Future over leader Peter Dunne's support for Green MP Sue Bradford's child discipline legislation.
He was involved in attempts to set up a united Christian party but this hit the rocks after Mr Copeland said he was ambushed by Destiny Church Bishop Brian Tamaki over the announcement over its co-leadership with former Destiny New Zealand leader Richard Lewis.
Last October, Mr Copeland said he, Mr Baldock and another former United Future colleague Bernie Ogilvy were starting Future New Zealand's formal registration with the Electoral Commission.
He and Mr Baldock were to be co-leaders, with Mr Ogilvy its secretary.
- NZPA
