MPS carry on while we are waiting

"You just don't know what you are going to end up doing." Palmerston North MP Iain Leesgalloway.

While political party leaders are busy trying to win the favour of NZ First’s Winston Peters, politicians lower down the hierarchy are getting on with their work.

Or, at least, as much as they can while they live in MMP limbo.

Politicians have been back in Wellington since the Monday after September’s election, which left NZ First with the balance of power.

While the National-led Government from before the election is in place for now, most other business, such as select committees and debates, are not taking place. So, what are they all doing? Rangitı¯kei MP Ian Mckelvie, who is back for a third term with National, said he had been helping new MPS learn their way around, including taking part in introducing them to select committees.

‘‘Old codgers like me do get to do a bit of that stuff.’’

There was also post-election administration to take care of, such as ensuring electorate offices were leased for the next three years, he said.

The situation had probably been easier for MPS like him, who ran in a safe National seat, than those in more marginal seats or list positions, he said.

He had also been getting around the electorate – the largest general electorate in the North Island – to see constituents.

Having a caretaker Government made it hard to get some issues resolved, as ministers were not able to get too involved, he said.

‘‘Most parts of Government run without any appearances from us politicians. It’s quite resilient and our democracy is set up to work like that, so it will all just keep on going.

‘‘You just have to sit and let it run its course.’’

Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-galloway said Labour’s list MPS were still busy, as they tended to work like electorate MPS.

‘‘One of the jobs I’m doing ... is meeting with our resources committee, which works with Labour MPS to help them set up offices and make sure they have funding to establish them.

‘‘List MPS will be looking to get established within their areas.’’

He was also looking at his own office setup in Palmerston North, and said he was likely going to find a smaller space.

The biggest issue was in Wellington, as things could be different for his fourth term depending on if he is in Government, a minister, or in Opposition.

‘‘That has quite a bearing on what staff we can employ, our office placements and those sorts of things,’’ he said.

‘‘You just don’t know what you are going to end up doing.’’

O¯ taki MP and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy, of National, said there was still plenty of work for ministers to do during the caretaker period, but he was also kept busy by electorate work.

The MPS are also using the lull, which comes during the school holidays, to take leave.

Lees-galloway has been doing gardening and jobs around the house, Guy is working on his farm and spending time with family, while Mckelvie plans to take three days off.