Andrew Bayly resignation as minister

The story so far

National MP Andrew Bayly resigned as a minister in February 2025 after an incident in which he placed his hand on a staff member's arm during an animated discussion. He later admitted to grabbing the staffer's arm, and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he would have sacked Bayly had he not stepped down. The Ministry for Primary Industries then stopped seconding staff to the office of Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson after formal complaints from staff about their mental health and wellbeing. Luxon later acknowledged he could have communicated better about the resignation, and Labour leader Chris Hipkins criticised the delay in informing the governor-general. Scott Simpson took over as Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister, handing supermarket regulation to Nicola Willis because of a conflict of interest he identified.^{24, 25 Feb 2025; 4, 5 Mar 2025} Bayly has taken two weeks' leave from Parliament to trek to Everest base camp in Nepal, with Luxon approving the absence.^{10 Mar 2025}

Latest

Bayly has taken two weeks' leave from Parliament for a trek to Everest base camp, which Luxon approved so he could clear his head.^{10 Mar 2025}

What's next

Bayly is on two weeks' leave from Parliament.^{10 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 24 Feb 2025Bayly resigns as minister after placing hand on staffer's arm.
2. 25 Feb 2025Bayly admits grabbing staffer's arm; Luxon says he would have sacked him.
3. 25 Feb 2025MPI withdraws seconded staff from Mark Patterson's office after complaints.
4. 4 Mar 2025Luxon concedes he could have communicated better; Hipkins criticises notification delay.
5. 5 Mar 2025Scott Simpson becomes Commerce Minister, hands grocery regulation to Willis.
6. 10 Mar 2025Bayly takes two weeks' leave from Parliament to trek to Everest base camp.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.