Prime Minister John Key is backing Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay following the resignation of three staff members.
Prime Minister John Key, left, and Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay Photo: National Party
Mr Barclay was elected to the seat in 2014 when Deputy Prime Minister Bill English vacated it for a place on the party list.
At 25, he is Parliament's youngest member.
In recent weeks, Queenstown-based staff member Barbara Swan, Gore-based Glenys Dickson, and Clutha-Southland electorate chairman Stuart Davie have resigned.
Mr Key told Morning Report such staff turnover in an electorate office was not unusual with a change of MP, and Mr Barclay had his full confidence.
"I've had the discussion with Bill about it, because he was the former MP, but it's not something of major significance," he said.
"I mean there's clearly been a desire to have a change in staff and it's changed. It's not, as I said, entirely unusual when you get a new MP."
Key backs Barclay over staff resignations