Green Party MPs Catherine Delahunty and Steffan Browning to retire from politics

Catherine Delahunty said she was proud of her eight years in Parliament. Photo / Duncan Brown

Two Green Party MPs have announced they will retire from politics after next year's election.

Catherine Delahunty and Steffan Browning said they would not seek reelection in 2017.

Delahunty, who is the Green Party's education spokeswoman, said she was proud of her eight years in Parliament.

Steffan Browning entered Parliament in 2011. Photo / Andrew Warner

"I feel particularly proud of the work I've done around building a quality, more inclusive public education system, leading our party's nationwide campaign for swimmable rivers, speaking up for the people of West Papua, and working for a national register of contaminated toxic sites.

"I intend on spending the coming months campaigning hard on these issues, which I know many thousands of New Zealanders care deeply about. After that, I am looking forward to continuing my lifelong commitment to activism and community building, as well as spending more time writing and being with my family."

Browning entered Parliament in 2011 and was his party's spokesman on pesticides, organic and food safety.

The Green Party has recently announced new candidates for next year's election, including TV presenter and sportswoman Hayley Holt and Auckland mayoral candidate Chloe Swarbrick.