Former Labour MP and North Shore councillor Jenny Kirk dies aged 76

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Former Labour MP and North Shore councillor Jenny Kirk has died after a short illness.

Kirk was the MP for Birkenhead from 1987 to 1990 and sat on the North Shore City Council from 1995 to 2001. She died on September 30 in Whangarei.

Kaipatiki Local Board member Ann Hartley was close to Kirk and said she will be missed.

“She was a very fine person, (who) always stood up for what she believed in, and it was a very tough time,” she said.

Kirk was an MP during a period where Prime Minister David Lange would introduce controversial economic reforms.

Devonport Takapuna Local Board chair George Wood said Kirk was instrumental in securing funding for the Northern Busway that today connects thousands of people from the North Shore to the Auckland city centre.

“Took me and the works committee chair to see Minister of Transport Mark Gosche one Saturday morning and the rest is history,” he said.

“(A) wonderful community worker.”

Kirk was recognised for her services to local body and community affairs and appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2002 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

She was born in 1945 and went to Westlake High School.

A cremation has taken place and a full service will be held when restrictions allow.

People have been asked to make a donation to North Haven Hospice instead of sending flowers.