Prebble politely bows out

Richard Prebble still looks likely to retire at this election, despite attempts from Act to convince him to stand.

Mr Prebble was asked to reconsider his retirement at the party's conference in Auckland over the weekend.

It is understood the Act board has passed a unanimous resolution asking the former leader to consider standing again.

But the 57-year-old, who was first elected to Parliament as a Labour MP in 1975, said that although he appreciated the honour of the board's asking him to reconsider, he was unlikely to.

"I have actually served three life sentences," Mr Prebble said of his political career. "I think the Act party has plenty of talented people coming through."