"A dignified finish for one of the true legends of New Zealand politics," was how Grant Tyrrell NZ Young Nationals Chair responded to the announcement by Jenny Shipley not to stand at the next election.

"As a member of the Rakaia Electorate I was honoured to be present when she first announced her decision to retire last evening, in a poignant and appropriate address. It is a measure of her loyalty that she made every effort to make sure that her local team heard the decision first and in person," Grant Tyrrell commented.

"Young Nationals are sorry that Mrs Shipley has decided to move on although support and respect her reasons. Jenny Shipley has been a good friend and supporter of the Young Nationals in her time in Parliament. In 1999 she became the first sitting Prime Minister to attend the Young Nationals Annual Conference. She has been a keynote speaker every year since and has always been hugely popular," Grant Tyrrell said.

"On a personal note, as a Rakaia Young National I have had the privilege of knowing Mrs Shipley over the last five years. A gifted politician, both locally and as a Cabinet Minister, it was her personal integrity that first struck me, as it has so many people in New Zealand and around the world. Mrs Shipley is undoubtedly a fine New Zealander."

"As a politician Mrs Shipley has an impressive list of achievements including becoming New Zealand's first women Prime Minister. Instrumental in the difficult reforms of the 1990s our generation is now able to grow up in a country where the worst oppressions of protectionism is in the past (despite the best efforts of the current government)."

"Jenny Shipley has given 15 years of her life to the service of Rakaia and the country, and Young Nationals wish her and her family well for a life outside of politics," Grant Tyrrell concluded.

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