Labour MP Stuart Nash shocked his radio co-hosts as he resigned from the Mike Hosking Breakfast radio show live on air.
The Cabinet member has had a regular slot on the show for five years alongside National's Mark Mitchell.
Nash dropped the unexpected bombshell to the breakfast hosts before they wrapped the show.
"I've been doing the show now for five years. I think people know and I get this feedback that Mitch and I are great mates and believe it or not I actually consider you a good mate too," Nash said on Newstalk ZB.
"We've had some stoushes over the years but your listeners would be interested to know that when we catch up it's always really courteous and we get on well."
"But I wonder mate, after five years, I think it might be time for a new Labour voice to come on the show and defend the fantastic record of this Government."
Hosking interrupted him saying: "Are you resigning on air?"
Nash said it is time for a new voice, but said he would be happy to appear on the show occasionally.
"You're calling the protesters soft and you're running for the hills. You're Jacinda-ing it," Hosking replied.
"You're on the exit… The polls are going in one direction and you're leaving everyone else," Mitchell said on the radio show.
Nash denied the claims saying he loves the show.
Hosking told Nash he is on the country's biggest radio show "by so far it isn't funny".
"I can't think of a single person that can come on this programme representing the Labour Party and be a combination of entertaining and authoritative and at Cabinet level and without an ideological bent that would drive us nuts," He said.
Nash claimed he is too busy to do the show.
"You're not playing the I'm too busy card… "Why don't I quit? I've had enough," Hosking joked.
"Imagine if I left the media landscape, you'd be partying for days."
Hosking jokingly asked if the Minister wanted to be paid more, to which Nash replied he earns nothing compared to him.
"Yeah but I'm good, that's the difference mate, I'm worth every cent," Hosking said.
Hosking ended the conversation saying Nash has to come back next week and give a better explanation to why he is leaving.
