Ms Palu was appointed a JP last week and was looking forward to receiving her first request for help.
Otago Daily Times reports what motivated her to take up the role was the demand from her own community and a willingness to provide a face they could recognise and feel comfortable dealing with.
"Last year one Sunday afternoon someone from the community rang and asked if I knew any JP that worked on Sundays.
"Because of our culture we thought no-one worked on Sunday, but he needed a document in Auckland on Monday morning. I rang and found someone close by.''
