For immediate release

Tuesday, 25 February 2003

United Future staff member resigns

United Future New Zealand today announced the resignation of long-time staff member, Mark Stonyer.

Mr Stonyer was Chief of Staff attached to the Leader's office and had worked for the parliamentary party and the leader, Hon Peter Dunne, MP, for eight years.

Mark said that he had been considering his position for some months and had indicated to the Leader last year and again in January that he was contemplating a move away from the Parliamentary Unit.

"I have had an extraordinary time here in Parliament and have seen the party succeed in a way far beyond any expectation I may have had eight years ago. The July 2002 electoral success would be a hard experience for me to top and I feel that it is time for me to move on."

Mr Stonyer has completed his notice of leave period and will, with the full agreement of the Leader, resign as of today.

Hon Peter Dunne said that Mark had played an integral part in the Party's success and he left with his blessing but with his own personal sense of loss.

The Party will hold a formal farewell function for Mark at a date to be announced shortly.

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