National to Lose Rich

Katherine Rich has announced she will be standing down at the next election to spend more time with her children.

This is a sad loss, I personally like Katherine and hold alot of similar values and political views as she does. She was certainly a great assest to the National Party and no doubts will be missed. Her ability to easily relate to people and seemed to understand the views of many New Zealanders on issues especially relating to education, social welfare and health.

With Katherine's departure Anne Tolley gets the education portfolio, which means she hands down her chief whip position to Nathan Guy and in turn Napier MP Chris Tremain will become the junior whip.