Mike Sabin and Russel Norman announce resignations

Friday, January 30th came as the day of resignations in NZ politics as Northland MP, Mike Sabin and Green Party co-leader Russel Norman announced resignation from their respective positions.
Where Norman has resigned ‘in order to spend more time with his young family’, Sabin said ‘he had decided to resign due to personal issues that were best dealt with outside Parliament’.
Speculations are that Sabin has resigned due to alleged police investigation against him.
Sabin said that he would not be making any further comment. However Prime Minister John Key acknowledged the resignation of Northland MP Mike Sabin for personal reasons.?Mr Key also acknowledged Sabin’s service as an MP since he was elected in 2011.
National Party President Peter Goodfellow also acknowledged Mike Sabin for his service to Northland constituents and the National Party since his election.
As per latest updates, the date for Northland by-elections has been confirmed by Prime Minister for March 28.
"This date gives parties sufficient time to prepare, while allowing the process to move ahead," Mr Key said in a statement.
The date was confirmed following discussions with the Electoral Commission.
The by-election writ day will be Monday, February 23, and the deadline for candidate nominations to be received will be midday on Tuesday March 3.
The last day for the return of the writ will be Tuesday April 14.
Back at the Beehive it was a different mood as Russel Norman announced his resignation as co-leader of the Green Party. His reasons were in order to spend more time with his young family, and to allow new leadership to step forward. However, Norman will still remain a Green MP.
“This is my ninth year as Co-leader and I think it’s time for a change.
“This is something I have considered for some time and over the summer break I have had the space to think hard about my future,” said Norman.
“We operate at the vanguard of change and it has been a pleasure to be at the helm for a time.
“But as they say, all good things must come to an end,” he said.
The Labour Party wished Norman well in the future as he stood down as Green Party co-leader.
Labour Leader Andrew Little said “Russel has made a significant contribution to New Zealand politics in his nine years as co-leader of the Greens.
“In that time, he more than doubled the number of Green MPs in Parliament and has been an excellent communicator and advocate for his party’s issues.
“I wish Russel well as he gets to spend more time with his young family,” Andrew Little says.
The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) also acknowledged Norman’s work, on behalf of New Zealand workers.
“Russel has ensured the Green Party are an active supporter of the rights of workers and are vocal on all the issues that are important to them. He led a vigorous fight for the Greens in Parliament against the most recent attack on collective bargaining and breaks and has a deep understanding of the link between social, economic and environmental issues and worker wellbeing,” CTU President, Helen Kelly, said.
“Russel has been very strong on the need for decent jobs and was a leader in the inquiry into the future of manufacturing in New Zealand,” Kelly said.
“Many New Zealand union members have met Russel through his participation in their campaigns and disputes and he is highly regarded. We want to thank Russel for his support and advocacy over the last nine years.” 
The new male co-leader will be elected at the end of May.