Well wishes across political spectrum as Judith Collins resigns

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The resignation of Judith Collins from Parliament has prompted well wishes and tributes from colleagues across the political spectrum.

The former National leader, who remains a minister with seven portfolios until her departure to take the helm as president of the Law Commission, announced her decision to quit Parliament on Wednesday.

Heading into the debating chamber in the afternoon, she told reporters she had received many well wishes but did not want to put them all out into the public.

"But Barbara Edmonds was very kind in the media, and she was someone who worked in my office when I was Minister of Revenue and she was in the public service and I never knew what her politics were, just got on and did the job ... outstanding ministerial private secretary and she's an example of what the public service should be like - I shouldn't know anyone's politics and that's the same as what I'll be doing."

Speaking in Parliament later in the afternoon, Edmonds paid tribute to her former boss.

"I want to acknowledge her decision today. I learnt a lot from Judith Collins, I also learnt things not to do ... but in Samoa and this is an acknowledgment of her husband David as well, we have a particular value called teu le va - it means to look after the space and to cultivate the space; the space between people, the relationships between la