Judith Collins leaving politics for the Law Commission
Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Judith Collins has spent nearly two decades surviving, outlasting and outmanoeuvring her colleagues.
But in recent weeks, a different kind of conversation has egun to circulate in Wellington: not about her next portfolio, but about whether she is positioning herself to leave politics altogether.
And that is what she has decided, today announcing she will resign in April.
Speculation intensified that the Attorney-General may be preparing to leave frontline politics to fill a looming vacancy as head of the Law Commission.
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Dr Mark Hickford’s interim term as president expires in April. The timing avoids a byelection in her Papakura electorate ahead of November’s election.
Collins said it had been a privilege to serve New Zealand in a variety of ministerial portfolios since being elected to represent the then electorate of Clevedon in 2002 – which later became Papakura.
“I could not have done it without the unwavering support of my husband, David, and son, James, who have kept the home fires burning since I was first elected. As all MPs know, our families are the unsung heroes who allow us to do the very public job that we do for New Zealanders.”
She reflected on her love of politics, but said it was a tough environment and it was now time for a different challenge. Despite all the portfolios Collins had held, she said she did not think she could ever have been prime minister: “I’m just a bit too direct.”
In 2014, she was forced to resign her portfolios, three weeks out from the general election, amid a scandal about her ties to controversial blogger Cameron Slater.
She claimed to be the victim of a smear campaign. A government inquiry headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Lester Chisholm cleared her of the most serious allegations and she was reinstated.
On being asked about her role in the Dirty Politics saga, she described it as “load of rubbish”, but acknowledged it was hard time.
“But my electorate stuck with me, my friends stuck with me, and I came back.”
Collins also rebuffed the idea she was a polarising figure.
“I think [people] should actually look at the record rather than the rhetoric. I'm really proud of the fact that we run a really good office here, and always have.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it was “with great regret and enormous gratitude that I thank Judith for her service”, but he was delighted with her “prestigious” appointment.
“The role requires astute legal knowledge – something Judith is eminently qualified for.”
Luxon said Collins had served with commitment and conviction and carried a wide range of portfolios in Government and “fronted some of the most difficult challenges without flinching”.
“Working alongside Judith over the past six years, I have seen firsthand her deep commitment to New Zealand, her loyalty to our team, and her unshakeable belief in standing up for what she thinks is right.
“On a personal level, I’ve seen Judith’s compassion for the people she represents, her love for her family, her sharp mind and sense of humour, and her quiet acts of kindness that most people will never know about.”
Labour's finance spokeswoman Barbara Edmonds, said Parliament would be a “less exciting place without Judith”.
“I've always respected Judith because she was ultimately one of the best bosses I had coming through the public service, and I wish her absolute well for the future.”
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Judith Collins was a “worthy adversary”.
“As Jim Bolger’s son said at his funeral just a few months ago, the best way to be popular in New Zealand politics right now is to be dead. Probably the second best way to be popular is to announce that you're leaving.”
Last month, on January 12, The Post asked if Collins intended to retire from politics.
Collins said she had been reselected as the National Party candidate for Papakura last October. When pressed, a spokesperson doubled down: “Yes, she was reselected as the candidate in October.”
Collins is one of the most formidable, divisive and enduring figures of modern New Zealand politic and will draw the curtain on a political career that has spanned almost a quarter of a century, multiple leadership contests, and bruising controversies.
It is understood Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had been waiting for Collins to clarify her future before making changes to his ministerial lineup, with her departure now paving the way for a promotion inside Cabinet.
Sources say the expected vacancy clears a path for Chris Penk to be elevated to Defence.
First elected in 2002, Collins quickly built a profile as a hard-edged law-and-order advocate and rose through the ranks to become Minister of Police, Corrections and Justice under John Key.
Her combative political persona earned her both loyal supporters and implacable enemies, and the nickname “Crusher” Collins.
Collins became National Party leader in 2020 after Todd Muller flamed out after only weeks in the top job. She inherited a caucus already damaged by internal instability and the dominance of Jacinda Ardern.
She led the party through one of the worst election defeats in its history. Less than a year later, she was removed as leader after a caucus revolt.
Many politicians would have left then. Collins did not.
Instead, she engineered one of the more remarkable survivals in recent parliamentary history, returning to Cabinet under Christopher Luxon and re-establishing herself as a senior minister, ultimately holding heavyweight portfolios including Defence and Intelligence and Security.
Collins has held the following portfolios:
ACC
Attorney-General
Corrections (twice)
Defence
Digitising Government
Energy and Resources
Ethnic Communities (twice)
Government Communications and Security Bureau
Government Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques
Justice
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
Police (twice)
Public Service
Revenue
Science, Innovation and Technology
Serious Fraud Office
Space
Veterans