Hon Chris Carter
Member of Parliament for Te Atatu

23 September 2010 Media Statement
Statement from Hon Chris Carter MP

I have returned to my duties at Parliament and in my electorate. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the Te Atatu electorate in this parliamentary term with my usual energy and enthusiasm. I regard constituency work as my most important duty as an electorate MP. That is the part of the job I have always enjoyed the most and I am grateful for the support that I have received from my constituents during what has been a difficult time for me, my family and my staff.

I consider myself to be a Labour MP, still, and I totally support the principles and values of the Labour Party. Naturally I will be voting with Labour on all occasions for the remainder of this Parliament. I will be supporting Labour in the coming election and hope that the party is successful.

My dispute is not with the Labour Party, but with the current parliamentary leadership.

I remain a member of the New Zealand Labour Party and my nomination to be the Labour candidate in the Te Atatu seat at the next general election remains at this stage valid. I will determine whether I continue with this nomination in the next few weeks. I am grateful for the unanimous endorsement of the Te Atatu Labour electorate committee to continue to be their candidate, and for the strong support I have received from many constituents.

I appreciate that journalists have questions for me and I will make a full statement and take questions after the October recess.

ENDS