Labour MP Louisa Wall, who led the marriage equality law change, has resigned from Parliament citing "events during the 2020 election" as the reason.
Ahead of the election in 2020, Wall gave up trying to defend her Manurewa electorate seat, after a legal battle over who was allowed to stand for the party's nomination.
Wall held the seat since 2011, but ended up running on the Labour Party list. Her withdrawal came after threatening legal action against her party for allowing a late nomination by Arena Williams to contest the seat, which she won.
"My resignation has come about following events during the 2020 election. Leaving Parliament is always tinged with some sadness but I do so still passionate about serving New Zealanders," Wall said in a statement on Tuesday.
"While I'm resigning from Parliament at this time, I'll continue to be involved in the issues I am passionate about; particularly indigenous rights, human rights, equality and the rights of women and the LGBTQI+ community."
Wall has been an MP for 13 years but has never held a ministerial portfolio, raising questions about whether she was too controversial.
The Labour MP made headlines in mid-2021, first suggesting her own Government should be doing more to stop China's alleged human rights abuses, and then accepting a National Party speaking slot on mental health after Labour didn't give her one.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, at the time, said there was no room in Cabinet.
"I'd say there are many more people...
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