New Zealand First Deputy Leader Shane Jones says it's a sad outcome for Stuart Nash to give up his candidacy.
Nash has resigned - after outcry over revelations he'd called his Napier opponent MP Katie Nimon lazy, for taking leave after having a baby.
Leader Winston Peters announced the party has accepted Nash's offer to quit.
Jones says Nash did an honourable thing - to avoid distracting from the election.
"But look, it's not the end of the life for Stuey, he's got a lot more to offer in a variety of other contexts."
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