The passage of time in Wellington and elsewhere
A week late but all the same……
Four days away tramping the exquisite beauty of Abel Tasman, with beautiful weather and the company of your daughter.
It was great fun. Beautiful. Lovely weather. Huts were good quality. Good exercise.
Will do more in the future having learnt from this experience regarding kit and food.
Here is the photo gallery.
It needs to be acknowledged that today is effectively the national day of New Zealand though it does not follow the theme of celebration that I think most other countries have for their national days.
It is a politicised day as the Treaty of Waitangi remains crucial in its position in New Zealand though the power of it remains contestable. So a day for Maori to promote their position and for the most part other New Zealanders to not acknowledge there are legitimate grievances.
This year the event is wrapped up in the opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement that was signed in Auckland this week. Behind the doors negotiations and yet to be ratified by the New Zealand parliament or other nations for that matter as yet.
John Key has stayed away from the treaty grounds this year-says he was being gagged. Possibly convenient too for him.
In the news today was item from Australia regarding state premiers supporting an alternative head of state and so there were articles regarding effect on New Zealand. I saw the cartoon…….very good.
New Zealand chooses new flag as preliminary winner – BBC News
New Zealand chooses new flag as preliminary winnerThe design titled Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) came out topsNew Zealanders have picked a blue and black design with the silver fern as the preliminary winner in a referendum on a possible new national flag.The runner-up is a similar-looking red, white and blue design.The final result will be announced on Tuesday after late and overseas votes are counted, and may change as the winning margin is narrow.A second referendum will be held in March to decide whether to adopt the new flag, or keep the existing one.
Source: New Zealand chooses new flag as preliminary winner – BBC News
About 50% turnout and effectively 10% of votes spoiled.
I do not like this design though slight less painful on the eye than the similar “weet-bix” flag.
Maybe the debate will heat up now that there will be a clear choice between the current and the alternative.
Recent unexpected death. Recognised around the world. Nice cartoon.
Momentum is gaining on the discussion of the new flag in New Zealand.With the release of the final four for consideration discussion seems to have increased. On the whole the reception has been negative.
A grand committee I assume of the ‘great and good’ have lead a process that has considered all the proposals, set a long-list and then a short list of four. The final selection is driven by an unsurprising compromise of incorporating the common themes that seem to gain traction, aside of whether these components work in combination.
The task set I think is an impossible one. The flag is to represent the important features of what makes New Zealand ……New Zealand. I do not think other countries set such high expectations for its flag. Such desires need a painting or such like! Of course John Key is driving his preference-something fern like. Not particularly mind stretching and he has reasonably been accused of just branding or corporatising the intent. How to make dollars, as if that is the way nations think of themselves. The problem with the fern and the colour black, another strong theme, for example is that they are already used widely by business and sports teams-the All Blacks of course. Hence the preference of Key, the currently great Ritchie McCaw and many Joe-Blokes (“ordinary Kiwis”).
The current four options to go into the planned run off against the current flag. I think there is a reasonable level of desire for change but the options have been received negatively.
A new one currently hitting big on ‘social media’ is below:
At least this design shows some imagination is design and offers meaningful interpretation rather than ‘the world knows us by the fern and the colour black”.
We will see but I do nor expect a change with these offerings. Key has been accused of using this process to define his heritage. One can see his fingers all over it. His usual suspects are lining up behind the offerings but I wonder if there will be some national tactical response.
Pukeahu Light show from Terry Quirke on Vimeo.
Pukeahu Light Show from Terry Quirke on Vimeo.
ANZAC poppies from Terry Quirke on Vimeo.
It is ANZAC morning.
We did not make it to the Dawn Parade, this year held at the new memorial park at the National Memorial, Pukeahu. We were concerned about the popularity this year and the feasibility of being anywhere close. Seeing the coverage on the tv this morning, it was packed, and possibly a sensible decision. Images from this morning are here.
The ceremony was moving to watch even in the the comfort of the armchair. The choir had boys from St. Pats in it as well as students from other Wellington schools.
The television schedules are full of ANZAC related programmes and later the NRL will have a very sporting flavour. Currently watching a history of the planning and implementation of the invasion.
I very briefly heard a comment from an historian on Maori TV that commented on the current popularity of attendance at ceremonies. In comparison to the 75th anniversary, when attendances were low, the current commemorations have been embraced by the country. This is I think reflected in the interest of WW1 elsewhere and an apparent greater connection of the younger world with the events, history and their significance. A more romantic and idealistic view of history without the now reality of the participants being long gone or nearly gone for WW2?
The important national event is fast appearing and given it is the 100th anniversary the interest is that much greater this year.
Here is an excerpt from the Guardian:
Princes and prime ministers are in Turkey to mark 100 years since the disastrous campaign that became a cornerstone of Anzac pride
Prince Charles and Prince Harry will join heads of state and dignitaries from more than 70 countries in Turkey on Friday and Saturday for a series of commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of arguably the most ill-conceived, poorly led and, ultimately, senseless campaign of the first world war.
In nine months of bloody slaughter, about 58,000 allied soldiers – including 29,000 British and Irish soldiers and 11,000 Australians and New Zealanders – lost their lives during the ill-starred operation to take the Gallipoli peninsula; a further 87,000 Ottoman Turkish troops died fiercely defending their homeland, and at least 300,000 more on both sides were seriously wounded.
25th April for those not in the know.
It is a national holiday here, though no roll over to Momday if happens to fall on the weekend.
So, it is like Remembrance Day or Sunday, but with more importance possibly.
http://www.anzac.govt.nz/index.html
http://www.rsa.org.nz/index.html
The commemoration services are at dawn to mark the start of the Gallipoli campaign 1915.
Today we were at the Wellington service at the Cenotaph, Lambton Quay. So early rise, 4-50 to be there for the 5-45 start. All Quirkes were up and raring. There were a few thousand people in attendence, with all ages covered. The ex-servicemen marched in with a military band and followed by members of various organisations, like the Guides and army cadets.
The speeches concentrated on the acknowledgement and celebration of sacrifice not the glorification of battle. The importance of remembering the sacrifice of men and women in unpopular conflicts like Vietnam was stressed, being reminded that they were sent like any others, and if you have a problem with the conflict, direct your thoughts at those who do the sending.
ANZAC is an important way of Kiwis expressing their national character, I think more so than Remembrance day does in the UK. I suppose it is something to do with being a smaller and younger nation.
It is impressive that so many get out of bed early to attend, and do not necessarily see it as just another holiday and so have a lie in.
The shops are closed until 1pm also!
Last year Sara and I went to the dawn service in Nelson when we were there on holiday. This time the children has the pleasure also. It was obviously a smaller affair but more intimate and as a result more moving.
Anyway, something to make the children think and adults to reflect upon also.
Later today we are off to the Civic Square to see “beating the retreat”, though according to my well informed source, no one does it as well as the Royal Marines.
A final note;God is definitely a Kiwi. The much forecast rain held off until after the ceremony and when the bands has finished their final marching.