Kirton was first elected to Parliament in the 1996 elections as a New Zealand First list MP, and when New Zealand First formed a coalition with the governing National Party, Kirton was appointed Associate Minister of Health.
Kirton was first elected to Parliament in the 1996 election as a New Zealand First list MP, having contested the electorate. When New Zealand First formed a coalition with the governing National Party, Kirton was appointed Associate Minister of Health.