Labour MP Pillay to stand down in 2011

Labour MP Lynne Pillay has confirmed she will not seek re-election at the 2011 election.

The former Waitakere MP lost the seat to National's Paula Bennett in the 2008 election, but re-entered Parliament on the party list.

Ms Pillay recently said she would not be seeking Labour's candidacy for 2011 and today said she would not be standing at all.

"I have decided to retire as an MP at the end of this parliamentary term in 2011 for family reasons, so I can spend more time with my partner and family, especially our lovely grandchildren," Ms Pillay said.

Labour is going to decide its candidate for Waitakere much earlier in the electoral cycle than usual as it believes it can regain what used to be considered a safe Labour seat.

Another list MP Phil Twyford has already announced he wants the nomination for Waitakere.

Mr Twyford entered Parliament in 2008 and had hoped to stand in the Mt Albert by-election, but David Shearer won that race and the seat.

Ms Pillay said she would not be standing down until the election, which means the next person on Labour's list, Judith Tizard, remains outside Parliament.

- NZPA