Member of Parliament stands aside for Rotary DG.
Waikato MP Lindsay Tisch won't stand again in favour of supporting his wife Leonie who would take on a District Governor role for Rotary in 12 months.Long standing Waikato MP Lindsay Tisch is saying goodbye to politics.
Tisch, who is based in Matamata announced this week his decision not to seek the National Party nomination for his Waikato electorate in the 2017 general election.
Tisch, who entered parliament in 1999, said the main reason was to support his wife Leonie who was taking on the role of District Governor for Rotary in 2017-18.
He also wanted to spend more time with his children and grandchildren who live in London and Christchurch.
"Leonie has supported me over the years, not only in my parliamentary role, but prior to going into parliament I got to the top of the National Party," he said.
"I was party president and campaign manager for the first MMP election in 1996 so I have been right through the party to the top and Leonie and the family supported me and now she is moving into an important role in Rotary; she is going to be the District Governor in 12 months and I will be able to support her in that role."
But until he stand down it would be business as usual.
He'll be heading to Germany in July to visit the National's sister party, the Christian Democratic Union and for a trade meeting with a think tank called Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
His parliamentary role was to disseminate information to other parliaments.
"Unless parliaments know what the issues are about, their governments can't support unless their people are on-side."
He was proud of his work behind the scenes politically.
"Some people want to be in the government and go down the ministry role, which is fine, my role has taken me through the parliamentary side and I have got to be number two in parliament."
He described the presiding officer as a referee of parliamentary debate.
He said that support for National would continue in Matamata despite his retirement.
"There was support for National here before I became an MP in 1999 and I'm sure it will continue."
He said he was making the announcement now "in fairness to the party" so they had time to find a candidate for his seat.
Courtesy of Stuff NZ