Maureen Pugh to retire from politics at 2026 election

Friday, 23 January 2026

Maureen Pugh will step down after more than a decade in Parliament.

National MP Maureen Pugh will retire from politics at this year’s General Election, bringing to a close a career that includes more than a decade in Parliament and nine years as Westland’s first woman mayor.

“It has been such a privilege to be an advocate for the people of the West Coast and Tasman,” Pugh said, noting her journey from list MP to winning the West Coast-Tasman seat in 2023.

Pugh said her time in Parliament had been an honour, highlighting her passion for regional development, infrastructure, and conservation.

She also said she was grateful for her role as Assistant Speaker, calling it a position that taught her “a lot, particularly about patience”.

Deputy Speaker Maureen Pugh interrupted a kaumātua during a whaikōrero, causing uproar from Te Pāti Māori who called for an apology.

“The West Coast is a region I am passionate about,” she said. “My hope is that whoever follows in my footsteps will continue to cherish its uniqueness, unspoilt beauty and special character.”

Pugh said the decision to retire had been a difficult one, but she wanted to spend more time with her family and “reclaim [her] gardens from the rampant West Coast bush”.

The National Party will announce its candidate for the West Coast-Tasman seat in the coming months.