National pulls up Pugh as English exits

''... it was a kind of a bittersweet moment for me given that it was because of his departure."

Maureen Pugh

Maureen Pugh will be back in Parliament after Bill English’s retirement.

The list MP, who unsuccessfully ran for West CoastTasman against Labour’s Damien O’Connor last year, said English’s departure was ‘‘bittersweet’’.

‘‘I was so stunned by his announcement that the impact on me didn’t sink in for a few minutes,’’ she said.

‘‘Even though I’m thrilled to be rejoining the team, it was a kind of a bittersweet moment for me given that it was because of his departure.’’

West Coast-based Pugh, the former Westland mayor, lost her seat following the counting of the special votes. The same thing happened in the 2014 election, when she narrowly won a seat based on the National Party vote, but lost it when the special counts came in. She then entered Parliament when former Trade Minister Tim Groser left in 2015 for a diplomatic post in Washington.

Pugh said her re-entry to Parliament would be ‘‘business as usual, but probably just a lot busier’’.

There were still ‘‘a couple of procedural steps to go’’, including being formally phoned and asked to take up the position. That would happen once English formally resigned, she said.

Pugh said she would lobby for more cellphone towers in the West Coast-Tasman electorate.

‘‘That really came to prominence during the recent cyclone where we had people stranded and no cell phone reception. That’s really important that we follow that up.

‘‘I’m particularly keen for south Westland to be first on the work plans, because that’s probably one of the biggest areas of no signal, about 230 kilometres without signal. It’s a long way.’’

She hoped the new Government would prioritise West Coast regional economic development.

‘‘I’ve got some questions into the minister, Shane Jones, to make sure that he gives some support to those plans ... We’d committed $36 million to that. I want to make sure that stays on track.’’

From Turiwhate, near Kumara, Pugh worked in public roles after first being elected a Westland District Councillor in 1998.

PHOTO: GEORGE HEARD/STUFF Bill English’s departure from politics means Maureen Pugh, a National list MP based on the West Coast, will return to Parliament.