National MP doesn't support pharmaceuticals

National's newest MP Maureen Pugh has a secret she hasn't even told her colleagues - the former Westland Mayor doesn't believe in pharmaceutical drugs.

Pugh joined Parliament four months ago after former Trade Minister Tim Groser left for a diplomatic post in Washington opening up a seat from the National List for the West "Coaster".

The wife, mother of three adult children and grandmother to six, says she avoids using terminology such as "alternative medicine" because it "conjures up an image of crystal-waving, unshaven women".

But one issue she has a particular interest in is health that falls outside "mainstream health" and doesn't involve pharmaceuticals.

Up until now she's kept her family's health choices to herself, which includes only ever giving her children chiropractic care.

"They've never been on antibiotics. They have a really healthy immune system - there's nothing wrong with getting a cold or getting a flu - if you have a healthy immune system you can deal with it."

Pugh, who doesn't take any kind of medication, says nature delivers whatever people need and she'd like to see the Government take a more holistic approach to how it allocates health funding.

"If I had a dream it would be to have a pilot programme run somewhere or to have a bigger look at some of the way the funding follows the patient."

"I think there's a real opportunity for us to save the country millions of dollars in pharmaceuticals by treating the whole person and the environment they live in, which is all about healthy eating and healthy living."

Pugh's daughter is a chiropractor and studied for six years to get where she is.

"I'm talking about science-based, highly-specialised people in their field with credibility."

"It's hard to extract that from that kooky healthcare that's out there," she said.

Pugh said she had seen the negative effects cannabis had on some people so she didn't support its decriminalisation.

But in terms of Kiwis "smoking or digesting a natural plant" - she wasn't opposed.

"I'm just talking about giving the poor lady whose got lymphoma a plant to smoke, which she can grow in her backyard."

Pugh spent 15 years on the Westland District Council - she was the district's first woman Mayor for nine of them.

Her biggest achievement was bringing together a number of agencies to turn around the local town of Kumara by fixing houses, providing technology in homes, getting people off the benefit and ensuring it was the first stop when the Cycle Trail was announced.

While she never aspired to be an MP, Pugh says she's looking forward to the challenge of finding ways to help her community from central Government.

Four months in she's still finding her feet - including putting the right names to faces in the House.

"Unfortunately when you come in by yourself you tend to be learning by making the mistake," she said.

- Stuff