the coalition between New Zealand First and National finally collapsed, the government's majority became even more precarious, but it nevertheless managed to survive until the end of the term. Local politics Kirton did not seek re-election in the 1999 election, instead going into local politics. He was elected as the top-polling candidate in the Napier ward for both the 2001, 2004, 2007, and 2010 local body elections on the Hawke's Bay Regional Council. He retired from local politics at the 2013 local body election, as was appointed as chief executive of the New Zealand Cancer Society's Central Division. References 1956 births Living people New Zealand First MPs Members of the Cabinet of New Zealand People from Napier, New Zealand Independent MPs of New Zealand New Zealand list MPs Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives People educated at Sacred Heart College, Auckland University of Otago alumni Napier City Councillors Hawke's Bay regional councillors