Michael Wood's resignation as Government minister comes as new failures to declare conflicts of interest come to light. ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announces that Michael Wood has resigned after more shares were discovered. ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff Minister Michael Wood while he was still a minister being questioned about his Auckland shares. There might be some scuttlebutt within Labour – especially the Auckland circles where Wood is popular – that Hipkins has nobbled a potential leadership rival. Auckland will now find themselves with a new minister for Auckland issues (Carmel Sepuloni) and a new Transport Minister (David Parker).