Dana Kirkpatrick

Kirkpatrick was born and raised in Gisborne, and is from a farming background. Four generations of her family have lived in Tairāwhiti.[1] Before entering politics, she was a Gisborne-based executive and communications professional.[2][3] Kirkpatrick has also been a journalist, and worked for the Gisborne Herald.[4] She was a spokesperson for the Gisborne Eastwoodhill Arboretum in 2009 when they were seeking a large piece of oak tree for the Ellerslie Flower Show in Christchurch.[5]

Kirkpatrick was with Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) from 2014 to 2021.[6] She was their general manager when a membership fees increase of 70% was introduced, alongside other changes to membership structures.[7]

Kirkpatrick was selected by the National Party to contest the East Coast electorate at the 2023 election. She was 44th on the party list.[8] On election night, Kirkpatrick won by more than 3000 votes, beating Labour's candidate and list MP Tāmati Coffey.[3] The incumbent, Kiri Allan, did not stand for re-election.[3]

During her campaign, Kirkpatrick identified her electorate's recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle as her first priority.[2] She also wants to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers and food producers.[8] In an interview on Radio New Zealand just after the 2023 election Kirkpatrick was asked how she would address people who had in the past voted for Labour's Kiri Allen who resigned in July 2023. Her response was to reassure people that she was prepared to advocate for people 'no matter where where they fit in the community'.[9][10]

"We know that there are significant issues on the East Coast and it's an enormous electorate, 13,800 square kilometres covering from Maketū to Gisborne and everywhere in between. And there are lots of different issues across that region." (Dana Kirkpatrick 2023)[10]

Kirkpatrick has two children.[4]