Michael Wood Announces Political Comeback in Mt Roskill

Former Labour cabinet minister Michael Wood has confirmed his return to politics, announcing his candidacy for the Mt Roskill seat in the upcoming election. This decision comes after his defeat in 2023, where he lost to Carlos Cheung of the National Party, marking the first time Labour has lost this seat since its creation in 1999.

In a video shared on his Facebook page, Wood reflected on the challenges he faced last year, describing it as a “difficult” period during which he made “real mistakes.” These missteps led to the end of his ministerial career. Three years prior, Wood was relieved of his duties as transport minister after failing to disclose shares in Auckland Airport. Following this incident, he resigned from other portfolios, including immigration, when it was revealed he held shares in Chorus, Spark, and National Australia Bank through a trust. His actions prompted a referral to Parliament’s privileges committee, culminating in a requirement to apologise to the House.

“I own my mistakes from that period,” Wood stated in his video. “The approach I take is that if you mess something up, you don’t shift the blame to others. You own it, take responsibility, try to improve yourself, and then come back and keep contributing.” Alongside the video, he issued a statement acknowledging that his resignation may have raised concerns among constituents, which he fully understands. “I made an error and there are no excuses. I apologised, accepted the consequences, and I’ve taken that lesson seriously,” he said.

Wood first secured the Mt Roskill seat in a 2016 by-election, defeating National list MP Parmjeet Parmar by a margin of 6,852 votes. He subsequently increased his margins in the 2017 and 2020 elections, with Parmar not being placed high enough on National’s list to return in 2020. However, Parmar made a comeback in 2023 with the ACT Party.

The former minister expressed his motivation for re-entering the political arena, stating he believes many residents in the electorate feel “forgotten and neglected.” He emphasized the need for someone “experienced and hardened enough” to advocate for their interests.

As preparations for the 2026 election begin, the boundaries of Mt Roskill have been revised. This change sees parts of Wesley and Balmoral shifting to Mt Albert, while Mt Roskill gains Blockhouse Bay from the New Lynn seat, which is set to be disestablished in the upcoming election.

Currently, Wood serves as a director at the union E tū, where he continues to engage with community and labor issues. His re-entry into politics signals a renewed commitment to serving the constituents of Mt Roskill, as he seeks to regain their trust and support in the next election cycle.