Feilding-Rangitkei Herald, Manawatu by Thomas Manch  28 July 2022

National MP for Rangitīkei Ian McKelvie has announced he will stand down at the 2023 election.

McKelvie announced his intention to resign on Tuesday morning, joining his colleague, Hamilton-based MP David Bennett, who also announced he would be resigning.

A farmer and a former mayor of Manawatu, McKelvie has been a member of Parliament since 2011.

"I have always been a passionate advocate for the people of Rangitīkei, and for the interests of rural and provincial New Zealand.

"This role is both an honour and a privilege," he said in a statement.

"I came to the job with strong family ethos and a belief in the value of a hard day's work, personal responsibility and equal opportunity for all to succeed. I still stand by those values."

McKelvie said he was "incredibly proud" to have helped progress three members' bills, one on livestock rustling that has since been withdrawn, another on allowing people to bring their own alcohol to racetracks that has yet to pass, and a third on faster court processing for dog-control offences that has passed into law.

He had also been assistant speaker of the House, and a member of various select committees including the governance and administration select committee, of which he is currently chairperson.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my chief minder and wife Sue for her ongoing support and significant contribution to my role as an MP," he said.

Bennett, who held the Hamilton East electorate from 2005 until the 2020 election, also announced on Tuesday that he would be stepping down at the next election.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon said both Bennett and McKelvie had been "absolute stalwarts for their local communities".

"Thank you both for your commitment and service to the people of New Zealand. You will be missed."

"I came to the job with strong family ethos and a belief in the value of a hard day's work, personal responsibility and equal opportunity for all to succeed.

I still stand by those values."