‘I want her to see me as a grandfather’ - Kelvin Davis retires for his mokopuna
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‘I want her to see me as a grandfather’ - Kelvin Davis retires for his mokopuna
Former Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis has confirmed he will retire from Parliament on Waitangi Day, saying the recent birth of his first mokopuna has prompted his decision.
"Since I became a member of Parliament, whānau has always sort of had to be kept to the side," Davis said in a statement. "I want my mokopuna to see me as her grandfather, her koro and not some angry fella on TV getting frustrated and pahupahu ana to the government."
Davis had hinted at retiring before the election in the event of losing his seat. But he ultimately decided to stay on as a list MP after losing the Te Tai Tokerau electorate to Te Pāti Māori's Mariameno Kapa-Kingi.
He said he is now looking forward to spending more time with his whānau and focusing on his role as a koro.
"I'm really looking forward to being able to spend more time with my whānau, with my mokopuna," he said. "I'm also looking forward to being able to do some things that I haven't been able to do for a long time, like playing golf and fishing."
Davis' decision to retire has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised him for putting his whānau first, while others have said that he is still has a lot to offer as a politician.
"Kelvin Davis is a great loss to Parliament," said Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern. "He is a passionate advocate for Māori and a tireless worker for his constituents. He will be missed."
But National Party leader Christopher Luxon said that Davis' decision to retire was a sign that Labour is out of touch with New Zealanders.
"Kelvin Davis is one of the most left-wing members of the Labour Party," Luxon said. "His retirement is a sign that Labour is moving even further to the left."
Whatever your view on Davis' decision to retire, there is no doubt that he is a significant figure in New Zealand politics. He has served as a Member of Parliament since 2008 and has held a number of ministerial portfolios, including Corrections, Education, and Māori Development.
He is also a member of the Ngāti Kahungunu tribe and has been a strong advocate for Māori rights and culture.
Davis' retirement will leave a big hole in Labour's ranks. But he is leaving Parliament on a high note, with Labour in government and his party enjoying strong support in the polls.
It will be interesting to see what Davis does next. He has said that he is not ruling out a return to politics in the future. But for now, he is content to focus on his whānau and his new role as a koro.
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