Sylvia Wood and Paul East. Photo: Samuel Rillstone / RNZ / supplied
National party president Sylvia Wood has paid tribute to former long-serving MP Paul East, who has died aged 76.
East was an MP for 21 years, 18 of those as MP for Rotorua. He held a number of Cabinet positions in the Jim Bolger government, including attorney-general, minister of defence, state services and corrections.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon said East was an "exceptionally dedicated" MP and paid tribute to his "selfless service to New Zealand."
In 1996, East introduced the Protected Services Bill, which gave legal protection to whistleblowers.
"Without seeking fanfare, Paul led the charge on issues considered important across the political divide, specifically in his work on the protection of whistleblowers and leading New Zealand's 1995 opposition to nuclear testing in the Pacific, which was heard at the International Court of Justice," Wood said.
As a member of the Privy Council, East retained the title of Right Honourable. After resigning as an MP in 1999, he served three years as the High Commissioner from New Zealand to the United Kingdom.
"Paul's affability and commitment to his country was highly regarded not just by the National Party but by his colleagues across the House, with both Helen Clark and Mike Moore praising him in their valedictory speeches," Wood said.
News of East's death came just hours after the death of another former National MP, Chester Borrows.