National MP Chris Finlayson has announced he will leave Parliament at the end of the year.
"It's with pride that the National Party in its nine years of Government settled over sixty treaty claims," the list MP said.
Under the last National Government, Mr Finlayson was Attorney General and Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister.
News of his departure comes after Speaker Trevor Mallard replied to a quip by Mr Finlayson in the House today, after he told the Speaker to "write it out a hundred times".
"Mr Finlayson, you can include that in your valedictory if you want to be in the House on the 18th," Mr Mallard said.
Mr Finlayson a lawyer and Queen's Counsel had been in Parliament since 2005 and planned to practice law once he leaves Parliament.
"Highlights of my time as a Minister include progressing the Tūhoe settlement, reforming intelligence legislation, and representing New Zealand at the International Court of Justice," he said.
National leader Simon Bridges called Mr Finlayson "one of Parliament's smartest MPs, keenest legal minds and an incredibly successful Minister".
"Chris has been a great and often forthright colleague whose counsel was sought regularly by colleagues and by successive National Party Prime Ministers and Leaders, including myself.
"I am sorry to see him announce his resignation from Parliament but am sure he will go on to have a successful career post-politics."
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