UPDATED 5.05PM Hekia Parata is leaving politics, announcing she won't contest the 2017 election.

The Education Minister and National list MP said she told the Prime Minister about her decision earlier this year, and now is the right time to make it public.

Ms Parata said it will be nine years in Parliament by the time she leaves, and when she talked about it with her family last summer, she decided that was enough.

"I genuinely feel that I have had the privilege of this opportunity, I've made the most of it with significant support, and sometime next year it will be time for me to move on."

She said it's been an "honour" to work on the education portfolio.

“It’s true that it involves a number of difficult decisions but I have been committed to making the right decision for our children and young people,” she said.

Ms Parata said she'll keep serving as Education Minister for as long as the Prime Minister wants her to.

"There are still a number of deliverables in the education work plan in the meantime and my focus and energy will be unwavering."

She describes her political work as "a privilege", but said leaving is the right decision for her, and her family.

Parata was elected to Parliament in 2008 and has served as Education Minister since 2011.

She previously held a number of portfolios including Pacific Island Affairs, Energey and Resources and was Minister for Women.

Her departure is unexpected - she is currently overseeing the biggest education reforms since 1989.

Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith told Chris Lynch Hekia Parata brought a refreshment and a connection with the communities of Maoridom.

"Hekia Parata has been a phenomenally successful minister in her portfolios," he said.

Labour leader Andrew Little said she's done a good job as Education Minister.

Mr Little said Ms Parata's never been short of ideas and had the energy to make the changes that are needed.

He said she's been a determined minister and will go with a fair amount of respect for the role she's played.

Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw commended her work ethic, but not the policies she's introduced.

"We think that the National Party's education agenda is a destructive one."

However Maori Party Co-Leader Te Ururoa Flavell is disappointed to see Ms Parata go.

"I think she's done a great job as the minister in a portfolio that is pretty bumpy from time to time. I think she's been absolutely committed to that portfolio."

Act leader David Seymour said he won't be stepping up for the Education ministry.

Mr Seymour's already turned down a Cabinet portfolio and said he's unlikely to seek one in future as he says the Act Party's job it to hold governments to account.

Mr Seymour said the party's part of Government for specific policy reasons.

John Key said in the meantime Ms Parata will stay on as Education Minister though at some stage he'll have to decide who will step into her shoes.

Hekia Parata

• One of 10 siblings. Her brother and sister were brought up by relatives who were unable to have children themselves (whangai adoption).

• Involved in organising protests against the 1981 Springbok Tour.

• Quit National after former leader Don Brash's Orewa speech.

• Has been Education Minister since December 2011.