“I’m no longer able to advertise where I’ll be holding my mobile offices in advance which is really disappointing as it means less people are able to come along and so I can’t serve my constituents the way I want to.
“I’m really gutted at the situation as my mobile office was the first of its kind. I take my job as local MP very seriously and this was an innovative way to service a very large and diverse electorate. This sort of behaviour is coming from a tiny group of people, but it is affecting our whole democracy and needs to be called out.”
McAnulty earlier told Central FM that political debate was healthy, but the levels of abuse levelled at politicians was uncalled for.
The topic of abuse against politicians has had a spotlight shone on it since Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation as prime minister in Napier a week ago.
Ardern said online abuse had an impact on her but was “not the basis of my decision” to resign.
Those farewelling Ardern have highlighted the level of vitriol aimed at the former prime minister and her family.
University of Auckland researchers found Ardern was the target of threats to a degree well beyond other politicians and public figures in this country.
Security experts have suggested she will continue to need police protection now that she is out of the top job and after she leaves office.
Napier MP Stuart Nash told Hawke’s Bay Today he had not received any death threats himself and felt the political discourse was still relatively amicable.
Nash said that he looked forward to the resumption of his street-corner meetings with constituents in February.
“It’s my experience that even those who oppose your politics or your policies are reasonably respectful,” Nash said.
