Wong makes farewell speech to Parliament

Pansy Wong announces her resignation this morning. Photo / Mark Mitchell

National's Pansy Wong made a graceful exit from Parliament today, delivering her valedictory speech just hours after announcing she was resigning her Botany seat because of the controversy over the way she had used her international travel allowance.

"It was beyond my wildest dreams when, 14 years ago, a girl born in Shanghai who grew up in a Hong Kong apartment where eight families shared a kitchen and bathroom, made an historic maiden speech in Parliament," she said.

"I have tried every single day to keep that dream alive, until recently when questions were raised about my travel entitlements."

Mrs Wong said she had immediately resigned from Cabinet, apologised and repaid the subsidy for herself and her husband Sammy for their trip to China in 2008.

"My political career has been an all-consuming one," she said.

"It would not have been possible without my husband Sammy's unrelenting support. As a consequence, his business interests were severely curtailed."

Mrs Wong said that during the last 14 years she had not had time to stop and reflect, but the three weeks since she resigned from Cabinet had given her that time.

"It will forever be a weight on my conscience how my continuing political pursuit has placed huge demands and constraints on my husband, and I have decided this will no longer be the case," she said.

"It is also apparent that my mistake has become a distraction for the prime minister and the Government. That is not acceptable to me."

Mrs Wong said she had proved New Zealand was a country of equal opportunity.

"The playing field is far from being equal, but anything is possible if one works hard for it...nowadays it is accepted that Asian New Zealanders can succeed in the highest office."

Mrs Wong said that during the last 14 years she had carried an unrelenting workload.

"It is time to turn a page in my life's journey, to focus on personal and family priorities.

"The journey has been a remarkable one and it is time for me to exit political life.

"Sammy, I am coming home."

- NZPA