National Party leader Simon Bridges maintains MP Jami-Lee Ross' personal leave is not related to the leaking of Mr Bridges travel expenses and instead he is "focused on his wellbeing" as the MP takes a few months off to deal with personal health issues.
Earlier, Botany MP Mr Ross announced he asked to have time off on medical leave .
Mr Bridges said Mr Ross came to him last week about the health issues, and that it was important to "work through this, what is sensitive, perhaps actually embarrassing, a lot embarrassing potentially" and that is "does take some time".
At a press conference in Auckland today Mr Bridges said the private health issue was "serious" and "deeply personal and private".
"He does need to get himself better" and to focus on his young family, Mr Bridges said.
Mr Bridges said he did not know who the leaker was.
"I don't know who did the leak but I can be very clear with you that the leak investigation is separate, entirely.
"[Jami-Lee Ross] is clear he is not the leaker".
Deputy leader Paula Bennett, who is running the leak investigation said, "We have not had a report back from PWC".
"They've still got a long way to go."
'You have to put your own health and family first'
Mr Bridges said in a statement the MP "will be stepping back from his portfolio responsibilities and from the Opposition front bench".
Mr Ross said he had been dealing with personal health issues.
"There are times in life where you have to put your own health and family first. As a husband and a father I need to do that at this time," he said.
Mr Bridges said he would not make any further comment "given this is a private matter".
"But I can confirm this decision is unrelated to the ongoing leak investigation," he said.
The National Party launched its own inquiry into who leaked Simon Bridges' expenses to the media after the Speaker, Trevor Mallard, cancelled a Parliamentary inquiry into the matter.
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