Former Cabinet minister Michael Wood has announced his bid to return to politics.
Wood will be throwing his hat into the ring under the Labour Party for the Mt Roskill seat in Auckland at the next election.
The former minister’s political career came to an end in 2023 amid his failure to divest shares in Auckland Airport. It was later revealed in the House that the former Transport Minister had been reminded 12 times by the Cabinet Office about selling the shares.
After resigning from the transport portfolio, Wood was mired in further controversy following the discovery of additional shares in Spark, Chorus, and the National Australia Bank held in a family trust. The minister resigned from his remaining ministerial portfolios later that month.
He was Minister of Immigration, Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Minister of Transport, and Minister for Auckland.
In a statement announcing his decision to stand again for Mt Roskill, Wood – currently a director with the E tū union – said serving the community “has always been at the heart of my work”.
He also addressed the scandal that led to his previous downfall.
“I know some people will have concerns about my resignation as a minister in the last term, and I completely understand that. I made an error and here are no excuses. I apologised, accepted the consequences, and I’ve taken that lesson seriously,” he said.
“Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is whether you’re honest about them and whether you learn from them. I’ve done that. That period prompted the most challenging and difficult period of my life and it has taught me a lot.”
Wood continued: “I’ve reflected, reset, and returned with clarity about why I’m in public life: to serve my community.”
He said he believed many in the community were “feeling forgotten and neglected” under National, adding that the party had “abandoned promised housing developments and left an eyesore at the centre of the electorate”.
“People are struggling to get to their GP. And the root causes of crime aren’t being dealt with. I’m coming back with a total determination to fight for my community on these issues,” he said.
“They need someone who is experienced and hardened enough to stand up and fight for this community – that is my track record and I have a renewed determination to do for Mt Roskill.
“I’m grateful for the support I’ve had over many years, and I’m asking for the opportunity to keep serving the people of Mt Roskill.”
