The baton’s been passed on in the Southland electorate’s Queenstown office.
After seven years as executive MP support, Paula Denton has stepped down.
Her replacement is Polly Clague, who’s been based in the electorate’s Alexandra office since March, 2021.
She’s now added the Queenstown role which she’ll take over full-time after October’s elections.
The MP support role is to be the local eyes and ears for Southland MP Joseph Mooney, particularly when he’s in Wellington, and to help constituents having issues with government departments.
‘‘We can initiate conversations with government departments or answer inquiries they might have or just send them in the right direction,’’ Denton says.
Local issues she’s dealt with include, especially, immigration, housing, transport and health.
Cromwell-based Clague, whose background’s in sales and service, travel and banking, says having grown up in Central Otago she already
knows Queenstown quite well.
‘‘Paula’s been an excellent mentor,’’ she adds.
Meanwhile, Denton is undertaking yoga teacher training.
‘‘I’m looking forward to pursuing opportunities in health and wellbeing, especially supporting the corporate community locally.
‘‘Through my management/support roles in government and the hospitality industry, I’ve witnessed a lot of sustained stress, leading to
burnout.
‘‘One of the benefits I’ve seen with yoga is a sense of empowerment in learning to take care of our health on all levels.
‘‘It’s definitely been a great tool for my own personal development.’’
