Well done Winston
September 4th, 2012 at 7:14 am by David FarrarRather rare for me to praise Winston, but I all thoroughly approve of his action in Parliament last week:
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) : I wonder whether I could ask the leave of the House to move a motion without notice regarding the 100th birthday of Nancy Wake, the Allies’ most decorated female war hero. This is her 100th birthday today.
Mr SPEAKER: Just to get it clear, the member is seeking leave for a motion to be moved without debate to commemorate that occasion. Is there any objection to that course of action? There is no objection.
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: I regret the collective lack of preparation on this, frankly. I move, That this Housecommemorate the 100th birthday of Nancy Wake, the Allies’ most famous and decorated Second World War hero, remembering that she was, after all, born in New Zealand of both Māori and European background. It is, perhaps, a matter of disappointment that we, as a country, have not acknowledged her in the way that France, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom have.
I’ve blogged on Nancy Wake often in the past. I knew of course she was born in New Zealand. but didn’t know she was part-Maori. Her parents were Charles Augustus Wake and Ella Rosieur, and it appears Ella’s grandfather Charles Cossell married a Maori “maiden” called Pourewa in 1836 – one of the first ever marriages between races in NZ.
Her biography says that legend has it that Hone Heke wanted Poueewa for himself and had threatened to kill Cossell and Pourewa, but was himself killed before he could.
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September 4th, 2012 at 7:44 am
Bloody hell! Always a worrying start to the day when you find yourself lining up alongside Winston.
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 8:18 am
Peters doesn’t give a flying fuck about Nancy Wake – but he does about soliciting RSA voters.
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 8:29 am
Bang on Scott. Winston Peters – attention seeking whore.
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 8:49 am
One of our finest who became an Australia?
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 8:58 am
Sadly I am with the cynics on this one…Winston is playing to the RSA gallery…
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 9:01 am
Didnt she leave NZ when she was like 2?
And yeah, seriously, this is a worthwhile achievement for Winston?
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 9:30 am
Winston is correct in what he said, but because he is Winston let’s still cover him in shit anyway.
Far out, kiwiblog is a tough room…
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 9:33 am
“Sadly I am with the cynics on this one…Winston is playing to the RSA gallery”
Makes a change from National playing to the queers.…
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 9:35 am
@ RRM lol
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 9:36 am
Good on Winston. I’ve come across some of those names in research in the past, but even if I hadn’t I’m not so mean-spirited to ignore the salute because of personal feelings about the man who raised it. His point about how Nancy has been largely ignored here is valid as well.
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 9:38 am
“but because he is Winston let’s still cover him in shit anyway”
Yes, because there really doesn’t seem to be enough shit in the world to bury him wih sadly.
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Good on you David for being so fair on this point.
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 9:48 am
Winston may choose to tell us what his line was when as member of the Clarke Cabinet the issue of recognition for Nancy Wake was discussed and such recognition was declined. This led to the RNZRSA awarding and presenting to her personally their ‘Award in Gold’. This award is the highest level of award given by the RNZRSA.
I don’t recall Winston making his personal support for national recognition being made public. Or has he had a change of heart now to get on the grandstand? Will his change of stance be recognised by the RNZRSA?
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 9:58 am
And cubit so ably demonstrates why shit should be flung at Winston.
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 10:05 am
A true hero, who should be acknowledged as a New Zealander despite spending most of her time overseas.
Since 9/11 is coming up, perhaps similar accolades should be given to Alan Beavin, one of the heroes of that day who helped storm the cockpit over Pennsylvania. People seem to have all but forgotten him, but I think he is well worthy of some sort of formal recognition by the government.
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 11:15 am
BlairM
I had to google to find out who Alan Beavin was.
http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/for-alan-beaven. It seems by the things he stood for that he was a hero even before that dark day.
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Ironic whom Winnie is actually named after.
Vote:September 4th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
the more times winnie can block recognition and then demand it again… the more time he gets to spend grandstanding.. its win-win.. well for winnie anyway..
Vote:September 5th, 2012 at 6:51 am
She had very little connection with this country but received some very senior honours from france and other countries. A “conz” from NZ is not much chop frankly.
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