East Coast MP’s staff ready to get ‘stuck in’

East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick (centre) will have two locals running her Gisborne electorate office — team leader Erica McNeil (left) and member support officer Kay Paku. Picture by Paul Rickard

Newly elected MP Dana Kirkpatrick has appointed staff across her vast East Coast electorate but is still looking for an office in Gisborne.

Erica McNeil, until recently the Poverty Bay A&P Association general manager, is team leader of the Gisborne-based office.

Long-serving funeral director Kay Paku is responsible for member support.

“Their first job is to find an office,” the National Party MP said. “Our main job is looking after constituents and responding to their inquiries.”

Other tasks include accepting nominations from those wishing to become a Justice of the Peace.

Ms McNeil and Ms Paku will also become JPs “because we do a lot of those services”

“It’s good to have people who are committed to their community and are going to get stuck in and work hard, Ms Kirkpatrick said.

“They’re both warm and welcoming people who will form a great team.”

Ms McNeil said she was passionate about the district.

“I bring a lot of knowledge about the area and great relationships with many people. I can engage well with people. I’m here to support Dana and support our community.”

Ms Paku, the Electoral Commission electorate manager in 2017, 2020 and 2023, says her work has introduced her to many East Coast families.

She enjoys meeting and working with a wide range of people.

Ms Kirkpatrick also has an office in Whakatane while other staff will offer a one-day-per-week service in Murupapa, Ōpōtiki and Kawerau.

Ms Kirkpatrick said it was a “juggle-struggle” covering a large electorate divided into two distinct sections —  Gisborne-East Coast and eastern Bay of Plenty.

Specific dates will be available where constituents can speak directly to Ms Kirkpatrick in one of the electorate offices.

She is expecting to spend three days in Wellington for 30 weeks a year.

Theoretically she will be in the East Coast electorate Friday to Monday, but there will be times when she is sent elsewhere.

Her early months as an MP had been “chaotic” she said.

She has had a high workload and travelled often without the support of any locally based staff.

It had been a busy time but also rewarding.

“There is so much that is broken. If in some small way, we can help people navigate their way through that, then that is good place to be.”