The National MP for Invercargill has announced he will not seek re-election this year after more than 17 years in the job.
Eric Roy. Photo: NATIONAL PARTY
Eric Roy was first elected to Parliament in 1993 as the member for Awarua.
On his Facebook page on Tuesday, Mr Roy said it has been a privilege to be part of a wider group of Southland leaders who have seen the region grow and achieve one of the lowest unemployment levels in New Zealand.
The National Party is yet to publicise when it will take nominations for November's general election.
Mr Roy is the ninth National MP to say he won't stand for re-election later this year.
Political commentator Colin James is not surprised by Mr Roy's announcement, which he says reflects a rejuvenation of the National Party caucus.
Mr James says the party wants to present itself as developing and not just "sitting on its haunches", and he's sure some of the nine resigning MPs will have been told to step aside.