MP Dana Kirkpatrick say the East Coast region is often "forgotten about" and residents and herself need to "shout very loud" to ensure the delivery of health and other services into the district.
MP Dana Kirkpatrick say the East Coast region is often "forgotten about" and residents and herself need to "shout very loud" to ensure the delivery of health and other services into the district.
East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick says her isolated electorate is often forgotten about by decision-makers, but great people among her constituents shouted “very loud” for their communities.
The first-term MP, reviewing the past year and looking forward to the next, told the Gisborne Herald that 2026 was going to be“a big year” during which she would continue to advocate for health and education.
“The East Coast electorate is far from the large centres that contract and procure services, so we are at the end of the line, and we tend to be forgotten about,” she said.
The electorate had great people who shouted “very loud” for their communities.
“We need to continue with that, and we need to continue making sure we are not forgotten and that we are at the forefront of delivery of things like health services into isolated rural areas. That is critical for us.’’
Kirkpatrick said nurses, doctors and teachers did a phenomenal job.
“They are critical to the success of this country. We would all like to pay them more, but we have a slight fiscal problem in that we have to be careful with our funding.
“Everyone had a right to strike and seek better remuneration, but in the economic climate we’re in, we have to be sensible.”
Targeting economic development
Kirkpatrick said she wanted more work done on economic development in the region in 2026.
“I note when I was first elected, through Trust Tairāwhiti and Gisborne District Council, we did an economic development strategy whereby we were going to increase our regional GDP [gross domestic product] to 1% of national GDP.
“I think we are a long way from achieving any desired outcome.”
Trust Tairāwhiti, in a 2024 Tairāwhiti Economic Plan, said the region contributed 0.7% to New Zealand’s GDP ($2.5 billion of $377b) in March 2023.
The trust had a goal of growing the region’s economy to contribute 1% of the country’s GDP by 2034.
Great work was being done around water storage, “but the rubber needs to hit the road”, according to Kirkpatrick.
She said forestry was responsible for one-third of the district’s GDP. If forestry were reverted to natives, “what replaces that?”
Kirkpatrick said the industry “wants to work with us” but they could not get consents to harvest trees “to allow the transition”.
“If forestry is not part of the economic answer, what are we doing to replace a third of our regional GDP with? That, for me, is a big issue which I do not think we have addressed.”
Kirkpatrick conceded that many in the community were going through tough economic times, but she said better times were ahead.
“No doubt there are still families and communities who are finding it hard, particularly with Christmas coming. We understand that.”
Referring to recent economic indicators, Kirkpatrick said there were interest rates and inflation “corrections”.
Kirkpatrick said some families with mortgages would be better off by up to $10,000 per annum.
The agricultural and horticultural sectors were benefiting from high commodity prices, “really good orchard gate returns” and “the dollar coming down”.
Government projects, such as the Tūranga Tangata Rite housing project, needed local plumbers and builders, and more Kāinga Ora houses would be built, she said.
Investments in housing and cyclone recovery
A big investment was to come next year in social and community housing, and cyclone recovery roading repair projects were progressing.
Kirkpatrick said she had just attended the sod-turning of the $45 million Tiniroto Road bypass project – one of the various roading projects being carried out by local contractors.
Kirkpatrick said the improving economy, boosted by the housing and roading sectors, was making a big difference to the region.
“I think we‘re all beginning to feel more positive about the economy and where we’re heading. I feel that in February, we will be seeing it.”
The horticultural and agricultural sectors have enjoyed good economic times in 2025, East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick said. She believed the wider economy will turn for the better and to the benefit of all Kiwis in early 2026.
‘Spread thin’ but privileged by work
Kirkpatrick said it was “an absolute honour and privilege” to represent the electorate.
“I represent anyone in the community who needs help or advocacy. It’s long hours, it’s relentless, it’s seven days a week, often deep into the night and there is a lot of travel to get around.”
East Coast, geographically the largest general electorate in the North Island, is 13,700sq km and includes widespread centres such as Gisborne, Whakatāne and Edgecumbe.
