New Years Honours
December 31st, 2004 at 7:58 am by David FarrarThe honours list is out.
Congratulations to all those honoured.
Without taking away anything from Jonathan Hunt’s record of service as an MP for 38 years, I am somewhat surprised that he was made a member of the Order of New Zealand, rather than a distinguished or principal companion of the NZ Order of Merit.
The ONZ is restricted to 20 living NZers, and is now full up until someone dies. The list of members is here and generally the only MPs in it are former PMs, with the exception of Mrs Tirikatene-Sullivan.
No tag for this post.
December 31st, 2004 at 9:56 am
They are all bullshit frankly. They are a mixture of the deserving and “buggins turn”. Putting exPMs in the list has a flavour of ex officio about it and really does make me even more cynical about them. I note the comments of Justice Blanchard which are amazingly frank though he was being far too modest regarding his own achievements.
Vote:December 31st, 2004 at 10:13 am
Since when did Sonja Davies become Prime Minister?
Vote:December 31st, 2004 at 10:26 am
Davies did nothing in her short time as an MP so I presume she got her award for her work prior to entering Parliament. But yes I did overlook her.
Vote:December 31st, 2004 at 10:27 am
Davies did nothing in her short time as an MP so I presume she got her award for her work prior to entering Parliament. But yes I did overlook her.
Vote:December 31st, 2004 at 3:33 pm
Ok, which one is the Knighthood again?
Vote:December 31st, 2004 at 4:04 pm
A Distinguished Companion is what we once would have called a Knight Commander.
A Principal Companion is equivalent to the old Grand Cross Knight Commander.
Vote:December 31st, 2004 at 5:21 pm
Francis the talking mule could have won the labour seat that Hunt inherited, and undoubtedly would have been a better representative of the working man. Thirtyeight years of slurping gravy, leading junket tours to the four corners of the world, and now a sinecure. The cabbies in old Londontown will be rubbing their hands in anticipation, and {eat your heart out TVNZ} there will be no sixtydollar a limit on wine with meals once the new man arrives to take charge at the embassy. Watch the budget go into orbit
Vote:January 1st, 2005 at 12:13 am
We are saved by his having a full-time car and driver in the new post – should save a bucket load. On the other hand, whether Hunt is the right person for the London job or not, is a separate question. But seeing as it is him, the POSITION and our damaged international relations almost demand that he go with gongs.
Vote:January 1st, 2005 at 1:12 pm
I think they should have a separate award for politicians,lawyers,and clergys and not demean our true icons like Hilary, TeKanawa,Fletcher,McKenzie, and one or two others who I am sure would feel more at ease being associated with the likes of say Pinetree Meads, Peter Jackson,Ron Brierley,and Peter Snell
Vote:January 2nd, 2005 at 11:36 am
Well at least Hunt wont be having sex on the HC formal dining table like one recent National Party official( note not even an ex minister/MP) who was appointed to the job
Vote:January 2nd, 2005 at 12:10 pm
I agree that sex on the table is most unlikely. To be fair to the former HC he denies the allegations made by his ex.
Vote:January 2nd, 2005 at 12:38 pm
so he ‘denies having sex with that woman’ – on the table
ps Sonja Davies is a ‘full’ member of the ONZ
Vote:January 3rd, 2005 at 8:38 pm
Well, that Nat would be getting more sex than Ztev and Askeladden put together (including any sex that Ztev and Askeladden are having together).
Vote:January 4th, 2005 at 12:36 pm
Zniffing bollocks again Zteve ?
Vote:I thought one of your NY resolutions was to just to lick your own this year!
January 4th, 2005 at 1:43 pm
Ztev and Askeladden, will you two clowns take it elsewhere?
Jonathan Hunt’s public service deserves recognition. I think it’s a shame that we don’t award knighthoods anymore, because that would be a perfect honour for someone about to end years of public service by going to the UK as high commissioner. The Order of Merit seems more appropriate for honouring “the greatest” New Zealanders alive, something that I don’t think applies to Jonathan Hunt.
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