Waimakariri MP Kate Wilkinson has joined the growing list of National MPs who will quit politics at the 2014 general election.

In a statement released this morning, on the day she flew to the Maldives as part of a Commonwealth Observer group, she said she said it was time to consider "fresh challenges and opportunities".

Her decision was hinted at two weeks ago when National's Canterbury-Westland chairman, Roger Bridge, stopped short of endorsing her for the Waimakariri nomination, saying he would "have a chat with Kate about that".

THREE TERMS IN PARLIAMENT

Wilkinson, a former Cabinet minister, has served three terms in Parliament.

In her statement, she said: "It has been a fantastic privilege to have been both an MP and a Cabinet minister in the John Key-led Government.

"It has been humbling and satisfying being able to help constituents in the area - especially following the Canterbury earthquake events, when we all learnt so much as a region and as a country.''

One of her most satisfying achievements was getting funding for the North Canterbury health hub, and she wanted to see that project through.

WINNING IN 2011 'ABSOLUTE THRILL'

Winning the electorate vote in the 2011 election was an ''absolute thril​l'', Wilkinson said.​

"I had in mind in 2005 that I would stand for election for three terms. I feel that it is now time to consider fresh challenges and opportunities,'' she said.

"I will remain focused on working for the people of Waimakariri until the election and look forward to supporting National's new candidate.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Waimakariri for their ongoing support and for providing me with the opportunity to be a part of so many exciting projects which have assisted in making Waimakariri such a special place."

SUCCESSFUL LAWYER PRE-POLITICS

Wilkinson was a successful lawyer before entering Parliament in 2005, but it is unclear whether she will return to that career when she leaves politics next year.

She was raised on a Mid-Canterbury farm at Chertsey and attended St Margaret's College in Christchurch.

She studied law at the University of Canterbury and, according to her National Party profile information​, began working as a solicitor with Harman and Co in 1979, becoming a partner in 1984. She stayed with the firm until she entered Parliament as a National list MP at the 2005 election.

Although she failed to win the Waimakariri seat then, she helped National win the party vote in the Labour-held seat.

She lost the 2008 electorate contest by 390 votes but turned that loss into a victory at the 2011 election when she beat incumbent MP Clayton Cosgrove by 642 votes.

MALDIVES PRESIDENTIAL OBSERVATION

Wilkinson is abroad as part of a Commonwealth Observer Group to oversee that country's presidential elections.

The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, consisting of 26 atolls. It sits about 700 kilometres southwest of Sri Lanka and 400km southwest of India.

Wilkinson is the New Zealand  representative on the nine-member group that includes representatives from Malta, Australia, Ghana, Jamaica, Malaysia, Paupa New Guinea, South Africa and Britain.

MATTHEW DOOCEY TOUTED AS RELACEMENT

Speculation is growing in political circles that National's Christchurch East by-election candidate, Matthew Doocey, may be in the mix to be the party's Waimakariri nomination.

Doocey and Bridge did not categorically rule that out when contacted. Bridge said he "not even discussed it".

"That's a decision for Matt to make,'' he said.

''My role really is just to ensure there is an open and fair form of selection ... it's up to the local members in the electorate to make the decision. It's not something  to be controlled from the party in Wellington.'' 

Doocey said "it's not on my radar'', and he was focused on his Christchurch East campaign.

Wilkinson had been an "outstanding'' MP, Bridge said.

"Kate has been a very good strong local MP and a very good Cabinet minister,'' he told The Press.

Bridge said her decision showed National's MPs "did not just sit there forever'', unlike Labour's MPs.

"We have a very active ongoing renewal within the party. They move on to other challenges. They just don't sit there,'' he said.

"This is a direct comparison to the [Helen] Clark government, which practically had no renewal within the nine years ... they just sat there."

Steady change was good for the National Party and good for the Government, Bridge said.

The party would start its selection process to replace Wilkinson next year, he said.

"There have been a number of people that will be very interested in the seat. I would expect a number of people would forward,'' he said.

COSGROVE: WILKINSON WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR 'BRIBE'

Her long-time political rival wished her well but said Wilkinson had done little to lift the profile of an electorate that was still going through significant earthquake-related issues.

Labour's Clayton Cosgrove, who lost to Wilkinson by 642 votes at the 2011 election, said she would be most remembered for the "election bribe'' of a new North Canterbury health hub - a project the community was still waiting for.

Three weeks before the last election, he said, Wilkinson and health minister Tony Ryall made a commitment to give $7 million of "new money'' towards the hub, which they said would be operating within two years.

There was still no sign of that hub, and Cosgrove said Wilkinson had faced "extraordinary pressure'' for failing to come through with that pledge.

Wilkinson's absence from the ballot would not alter how Cosgrove tackled the next election, he said.

"I've never stopped working for the people of Waimakariri. The constituency and earthquake-related work has never lessened.''

He said Wilkinson's approach to work "behind the scenes'' had backfired on her.

"I wish her well but most people are telling me the profile of Waimakariri is almost non-existent, the profile has gone down and people need advocacy, someone who is beating their drum and out there prepared to put their name and reputation on the line. You can't be seen to be working behind the scenes and invisible.''

- © Fairfax NZ News

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