It is always great to hear feedback on Nation Dates and we were very fortunate to receive feedback from MP Simon O’Connor and Dr Sean Palmer, who had read Nation Dates and had some interesting comments and suggestions for our third edition. Of particular interest was the suggestion of two great new dates:

1987 The Order of New Zealand introduced
Signalling the establishment of a uniquely New Zealand Honours System, the Order of New Zealand is the highest honour that can be awarded to a New Zealander. It is awarded to recognise outstanding service to the people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity. It is a single-class order, restricted to 20 living citizens. An important feature of the medal is that it must be returned to the Crown on the recipient’s death in order to be passed on to a new recipient.

1999 Victoria Cross for New Zealand introduced
The award is introduced to create a New Zealand equivalent to the British Victoria Cross. It is the highest of eight awards for gallantry and bravery introduced in 1999, replacing the 20 British gallantry and bravery awards. In 2007 Corporal Bill (Willie) Apiata becomes the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand for his ‘personal courage under fire’ while serving in Afghanistan in 2004.

Although Miriam White (co-author of Nation Dates) is no longer at the Institute, her sister Grace attended the meeting with me and is now working at the Institute full-time. Version three is a long way off, possibly 2015, however, please keep those dates rolling in. In the meantime we are working on Nation Voices, which Niki Lomax and I hope to publish at the end of this year

Best,

Wendy