Photo: Marika KhabaziACT Party MP and minister Brooke van Velden has announced she won't be seeking re-election in November. Ms van Velden, the party's deputy leader and Workplace Relations Ministersaid in a statement today she had spent nine years in the public sector and it was time for a change. Van Velden said she told Seymour and the party general secretary before Christmas that she was considering leaving, and confirmed her decision with them earlier this year. She will remain a minister for now, and the party will confirm a new deputy leader at its general meeting in June. "I've been serving the people of Tamaki 100 percent until this point and that is what I'll continue to do until the election," van Velden said.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 24, 2026 06:07 UTC