The Royal Representative

Archive for the ‘New Zealand’ Category

Today in history: On May 29th, 1953 Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary became the first climbers known to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. They were part of the ninth British expedition to Everest, led by John Hunt.

The two men ascended through the South Col route, today the most popular path to the summit. Norgay and Hillary reached the top four days before the Queen’s coronation on June 2, 1953.

Hillary was created a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) on June 6, 1953; a member of the Order of New Zealand (ONZ) in 1987; and a Knight of the Order of the Garter (KG) on April 22, 1995.

In 1953, Tenzing received the George Medal for Bravery from Elizabeth II, and King Tribhuvan of Nepal presented him with the Order of the Star of Nepal that same year.

The Child Health site is a wonderful place to donate food or medicine to needy children. On the site, I found the beautiful Maori twist necklace, and the purchase of each one will fund health services to save or improve the lives of 4.5 children.

This link is found at August Annotations for a limited time only; it coincides with the commentary on Maori Queen Te Ata.

From TV3.co.nz:

Organisers are crediting the media coverage of the Maori Queen’s tangi for an overwhelming turnout of people to welcome Maoridom’s newest king.

The eldest son of Dame Te Atairangikaahu, Kingi Tuheitia will give his first formal speech on Tuesday, exactly a year after taking over from his late mother.

Turangawaiwai spokesperson Moko Templeton says sport and kapahaka activities will dominate the weekend’s events, which 20-thousand-people are expected to attend.

She says the King movement has really taken off thanks to Dame Te Ata’s legacy. [source]

The Maori Queen of New Zealand has died after 40 years as leader of her people, during which time she served alongside 11 prime ministers.

Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu - commonly known as Te Ata - was the mother of seven who became the Maori Queen at the age of 35. She was the seventh Maori sovereign and filled a role that carried only ceremonial powers but commanded great respect among Maori and white New Zealanders.

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It has been announced that HRH Prince William will visit New Zealand in early July. He was invited by British and Irish Lions Head Coach Sir Clive Woodward to join the team for the second and third tests against the All Blacks. This takes place on 2nd and 9th July. Prince William is also expected to attend a Lions training camp.

He is expected to represent HM The Queen at ceremonies in Wellington and Auckland to commemorate the end of the Second World War. Although details have not been finalised yet, he is also expected to visit a school, and undertake other duties while in the country. This visit includes the Prince’s first solo official engagement, and the first occasion upon which he represented HM The Queen.