National MP Wong resigns

National MP Pansy Wong resigns, triggering by-election in Botany next year

14th Dec 10, 10:44am by Alex Tarrant

National MP Pansy Wong has announced her resignation from Parliament after struggling to refute allegations from the Labour Party on her and her husband's use of MP's international travel allowances.

The resignation will mean a by-election in Wong's Botany electorate next year. Her resignation will be effective from January 17, although she said she would not receive any salary or personal entitlements from December 20 through to the effective day.

Prime Minister John Key later confirmed the by-election would be on March 5, 2011.

(Updates with by-election date.)

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12 Comments

by GG | 14th Dec 10, 11:06am 1292277998

This is shame as Pansy was a good MP and her expense issue was not serious. Shows how petty our politics has become.

by powerdownkiwi | 14th Dec 10, 11:09am 1292278172

Just in the wong place at the wong time

by Vanderlei Luxemburgo | 14th Dec 10, 1:40pm 1292287253

pdk you should know two wongs don't make a right

by Andy Rodgers | 14th Dec 10, 11:51am 1292280660

GG - I think there is a lot more to this story that we will never hear about. Why would she resign if she was only ordered to pay back a few hundred dollars. I think she was pushed by the National hierarchy because they knew that there was a lot more scandal to come out of any further investigations. If she "resigns" then the problem is solved.

by steven | 14th Dec 10, 1:50pm 1292287836

No, MPs must uphold the highest standards for public office.........so must she go.

regards

by Chairman Moa | 14th Dec 10, 12:06pm 1292281587

Darn we've just lost another one of our asian role models - who 's left; Raybon Khan and that asian actress on Shortland street.... nooice!

by GG | 14th Dec 10, 12:08pm 1292281731

Good point Andy. You may be right.

by slossy | 14th Dec 10, 2:02pm 1292288579

John should just call a general election and save us the expense of yet another bi election.

Whats the count now?

Helen went first then Cullen, Mana and know Wong plus a few list reshufles.

What has this lot cost us? Time for some userpays here, these people are employed for a 3 year term, perhaps they should pay for the bi-election or at the least loss there perks.

by muzza | 14th Dec 10, 2:26pm 1292289990

She might now start focussing on buying dairy farms

by Andy Rodgers | 14th Dec 10, 7:41pm 1292308906

I wouldn't be the least surprised if she popped up as the replacement for May Wang as the NZ face of UBNZ/Natural Dairy..

by Andy Rodgers | 14th Dec 10, 7:47pm 1292309264

by Mossad | 14th Dec 10, 10:36pm 1292319391

vic, why should they?

They are New Zealand citizens and should face the law like any other New Zealander. Let the law decides - not the media. Pansy Wong did some excellent work too for NZ.

As for May Wang (agents reporting), I am sorry to say her days are numbered for the farmland deal. All the regulators got to do now is throw the book at her or are they that stupid to continue their BS spin. One has to ask the question why did the farms failed? If one ends up borrowing too much on speculated prices, you eventually get AIDS (Acute Income Deficiency Syndrome) when costs to fund debt increases.