Peters to resign as list MP

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has confirmed he will resign as a list MP, which will allow his party member to gain a new MP.

Mr Peters told Radio New Zealand this morning: "Of course I'll resign, I don't know why it was ever a material question."

New Zealand First currently has 11 MPs in Parliament.

Under electoral rules, Mr Peters' resignation as a list MP means New Zealand First's 12th -ranked list MP can enter Parliament.

Parliamentary staffer Ria Bond, from Invercargill, is next on the party's list but it not known whether she will become an MP.

Mr Peters said yesterday that he might refuse to resign because of New Zealand First's policy of a smaller Parliament.

- Isaac Davison of the New Zealand Herald