MP Jami-Lee Ross has released a recording of a phone conversation between himself and National Party leader Simon Bridges discussing a $100,000 donation from Chinese businessman Zhang Yikun.

Veteran National list MP Chris Finlayson will retire from Parliament before the next election to return to a legal career.

And former speaker David Carter confirmed on Wednesday he did not intend to seek another term.

The news comes hours after a secret tape of party leader Simon Bridges was released in which he mentioned Finlayson as one of the "obvious" MPs who should resign from Parliament to make room for new MPs.

Former attorney general and treaty negotiations minister Chris Finlayson will leave Parliament at some point before the next election.

But both MPs said the tape has nothing to do with their departures.

Finlayson served as attorney general, treaty negotiations minister, and arts and culture minister during the last National government.

KEVIN STENT/FAIRFAX NZ Former speaker David Carter will also leave at the 2020 election.

Finlayson told Stuff he will be leaving in "a matter of months" and it had nothing to do with the tape.

"Any suggestion that I am upset about the tape is just wrong," he said.

Finlayson noted he had said plenty of nasty things about people himself over his career that thankfully had not been taped.

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF Simon Bridges says leaked tape exonerates him and discredits Jami-Lee Ross.

"I can wound with my tongue at 100 paces," Finlayson said.

He said the Tūhoe settlement, reforming intelligence legislation, and representing New Zealand at the international court of justice were career highlights.

Bridges apologised to the named MPs earlier on Wednesday, saying he respected all of his MPs and the work they were doing.

"The reality is they are making strong contributions that they know that I value," Bridges said.

Former speaker David Carter was also named in the tape, and told Stuff he has been quite clear with his colleagues that he is looking to complete his current term - but had no intention on seeking another.

"By that stage he said he would have completed 26 years," Carter noted.

Finlayson has been a list MP since 2005, standing in Wellington's Rongotai electorate, a Labour stronghold.

National MP Maureen Pugh, who was also named in the tape and described as "f----- useless" by Bridges, has not been reached for comment.

Bridges has met with Pugh to apologise with her.

The tape of a June 25 conversation was released by former National MP Jami-Lee Ross, who has ended his long career with the party in spectacular fashion by alleging Bridges is guilty of serious electoral fraud.

Bridges denies all the allegations and says the tape Ross released iexonerates him.