Papakura MP Judith Collins to leave politics to head Law Commission

National MP for Papakura Judith Collins will leave politics after 24 years to become President of the Law Commission: Te Aka Matua o te Ture.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today that Collins will be appointed to the role from mid-2026, marking the end of a parliamentary career that began in 2002 when she was first elected to represent the former Clevedon electorate, later becoming Papakura.

Collins says it has been a privilege to serve New Zealand across a wide range of ministerial portfolios over four terms of government.

“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,” she says.

“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 thanked Luxon for his confidence, saying she began the current term holding eight portfolios and will retire with seven.

“The workload has been huge but the opportunities to be part of a Government that is fixing the basics and building the future for all New Zealanders has been an honour,” Collins says.

Among the highlights of her most recent term, Collins pointed to the Defence Capability Plan, describing it as a crucial response to an increasingly uncertain global environment.

“We no longer live in a benign strategic environment, if we ever really did and we need to play our part,” she says.

Reflecting on her wider career, Collins highlighted several achievements, including the Judicature Modernisation Bill, banning smoking in prisons, restoring land ownership in the Top of the South through the resolution of long-running private litigation, and becoming New Zealand’s first Minister for Technology and for Space.

She also noted serving in portfolios ranging from Police and Corrections to Justice and Attorney-General, and leading the National Party from July 2020 to November 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Collins paid tribute to the teams who supported her throughout her political career, as well as volunteers in the Papakura electorate.

“I simply could not have done this job without you,” she says.

Before entering Parliament, Collins practised law for 21 years, saying her appointment to the Law Commission represents a return to her professional roots.

“Some might say law is my first love, so it seems fitting it will soon be my professional focus once again.”