Photo: RNZ / Lillian Hanly
Outgoing Labour MP Peeni Henare says he is ready to "see the back of this place", as he prepares to leave both Parliament and the party who gave him an "opportunity" after 12 years.
"You can only try your best, and I believe I've done that," he said in a sitdown interview with RNZ during his final week as a Labour MP, revealing the most difficult times for him were balancing "being MΔori" and "being a politician".
Henare said he had "mixed emotions" during his last days in Parliament, and said it was the "human connections" in the place that made him feel sad this week.
He had connections across the House, enjoying good relationships with members from all parties, saying that was a testament to how he conducted himself politically, "that's always been my style".
He also had connections with the security guards, earlier this week he thanked them for leaving kina in his fridge.
"I've had a lot of people from all different walks of life, inside and outside of Parliament, talking about how sad they are to see me leave politics, some even hope that I might change my mind," he said.
Asked whether anyone in the Labour leadership had asked him to change his mind
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