If ever there was an irrepressible personality it was Cath Tizard. She had life by the ears and shared her thoughts and joys with anyone who wanted to hear them. I have this wonderful memory of Cath, who had just retired as Governor General, standing on the balcony at Sam and Tony’s … [Read more...]
Vale Bill Wilmott
A friend and teacher of a vast number of people, Professor Bill Wilmott, died last week. Bill and Di Madgin, his wife, had played a key role in many organisations in our city. Bill was the son of missionary parents who spent much of his childhood living in China. He remained a friend of China until … [Read more...]
Taking Guyan Espiner off the air has allowed him to become an even better journalist
Recently Guyan Espiner, a son of our City, produced a programme which discussed the allocation of Crown Prosecutor positions around New Zealand. Here’s what he wrote: Crown Law records, released to RNZ under the Official Information Act, show that in many centres the Crown Warrant has been with … [Read more...]
Abbas Nazari, Afghan refugee
Regulars to the Tuesday Club will remember that Abbas has spoken to us twice. He arrived in New Zealand as an Afghan refugee on the Tampa. He is an impressive young man, and he has just completed a Masters degree in Washington at Georgetown University. While he was studying, he found time, somehow, … [Read more...]
Austin Mitchell has died
Tuesday Club attendees will remember a few years ago that Austin Mitchell spoke to us. His address was witty, and he said he saw a group like the Tuesday Club as being an example of democracy at grass roots. Austin died this week. He will be missed as a wonderful friend of New Zealand and a … [Read more...]
Farewell Jaime Lerner
A few weeks ago I wrote about Jaime Lerner a visitor to this City a number of years ago. I found him a fascinating man. Well read and a wonderful teacher. I wrote about the treehouse he built himself where he worked each morning where he sat and thought and debated with people who could assist his … [Read more...]
Farewell Malcolm Ott, patron and Christchurch icon
In the paper on Saturday there was this funeral message: Ott James Malcolm (Malcolm):Malcolm passed away very peacefully on the evening of Sunday, May 2, 2021, in his home at Holly Lea. Loving husband of the late Paree for just on 60 years, best friend and adored father of Andrew and Bebaki, son … [Read more...]
I can’t wait to get my hands on the book “Helen Kelly” by Rebecca Macfie
I’m a friend of Rebecca Macfie. She is a superb journalist. We are lucky to have her living in this country. She has written a book about one of New Zealand’s great union leaders, Helen Kelly. Sadly, Helen died young of cancer. She would have made a wonderful Labour Prime Minister. There have … [Read more...]
The Wizard and Alice
Around 44 years ago Pam and I got married. We had to get married early in the morning as the Priest who was to marry us, Jim Consedine, had to go to a demonstration in Wellington. At the wedding function the Wizard and Alice were guests. I don’t think Alice was his fiancé then. The Wizard cast a … [Read more...]
Rob Campbell
In Spinoff this week there was a really honest and in places, raw, interview with Rob Campbell. Trade unionist, turned company director. The interview traced his really interesting life through to today. One issue fascinated me. Rob was encouraged by the leaders in the Trade Union movement to … [Read more...]
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