Paul Clayton East (4 August 1946 – 27 February 2023) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.
Early life and family East was born in Ōpōtiki on 4 August 1946, and was educated at King's College, Auckland. He studied at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1970, and the University of Virginia, where he completed a Master of Laws degree in 1972.
In 1972, East married Marilyn Kottman, and the couple went on to have three children and six grandchildren .
Early career
Before entering Parliament, East worked as a lawyer and a barrister at the Rotorua-based legal firm, East Brewster from 1973 to 1978. East also served as a member of the Rotorua City Council and deputy mayor, and chaired the Roturua Airport Committee between 1977 and 1978. The Roturua City Council was later incorporated into the Rotorua District Council.
Member of Parliament
East was first elected to Parliament in the 1978 election as MP for Rotorua, and retained that seat until he became a list MP in the 1996 elections after losing a face-off for National's Rotorua nomination to Max Bradford. In 1990, East was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.
East served in a number of ministerial roles, including those of Minister of Defence and Attorney-General in the fourth National government. When Jenny Shipley replaced Jim Bolger as leader of the National Party, East was one of the minority who remained aligned with Bolger.
East was appointed a member of the Privy Council in 1998. In 1999, he resigned from Parliament to take up the position of New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in London.Paul East to observe Sri Lankan elections He was replaced in Parliament by Alec Neill, the next candidate on National's party list.
Attorney-general As attorney-general, East advocated on important international issues, including a case brought before the International Court of Justice in 1995 on behalf of New Zealand against France's nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean. East also headed the development of an advisory opinion to the UN General Assembly on the legality of nuclear testing in 1995. East was awarded the status of Queen's Counsel (QC) while Attorney-General.
Outside Parliament
From 2002, East had been independent chairman of the Charity Gaming Association (CGA), which is the industry organisation for charitable trusts that operate electronic gaming machines ("pokies") to raise funds for community purposes.
In the 2005 Queen's Birthday Honours, East was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Parliament and the law.
Death East died in Auckland on 27 February 2023, at the age of 76. Fellow former National MP Chester Borrows also died the same day.
Notes
References
1990 Parliamentary Candidates for the New Zealand National Party p. 68 by John Stringer (New Zealand National Party, 1990)
External links Charity Gaming Association (Inc)