Tag: Queen Elizabeth

The Queen was always good copy

 

To mark the death of Queen Elizabeth, this week’s commentary is handed over to one of New Zealand’s most knowledgeable Royal watchers, former New Zealand Woman’s Weekly editor, Jenny Lynch.

She was always good copy, specially for women’s magazines.

During my time at the NZ Woman’s Weekly ( 1976-1994) I often wondered what we would have done without the Queen and her troublesome family

Outsiders often sneered at the magazine’s so-called love affair with the royals.

But long-time editor Jean Wishart knew a thing or two. So did I when I took over the editor’s chair in 1987.

A good royal story guaranteed good sales.

And when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited New Zealand we could count on very good sales. Continue reading “The Queen was always good copy” →

Unashamed monarchist revels in Queen’s jubilee

I am a monarchist.

It is a reflection of my English heritage, which sits alongside Māoritanga in defining me as a New Zealander.

On my mother’s side I am a first-generation Kiwi. Along with her migrant parents and four sisters, she referred to Britain as ‘home’ until the day she died despite having left the grimy streets of Newcastle as a two-year-old.

My paternal heritage has longer ties with this country, which makes me a third-generation New Zealander. My great-grandfather was Devon born but Canadian-raised and came to New Zealand in the 1870s. His grandfather fought in the American War of Independence – as a British Army scout. My grandmother’s family were from Scotland and Ireland and settled in Central Otago in the 1860s.

I claim no Māori whakapapa, but I recognise that the Treaty of Waitangi binds me to rangatiratanga and tikanga Māori.

I also believe that Māoridom’s partnership with the Crown binds me to my forebears and is a valid and valuable component of my identity as a New Zealander. Continue reading “Unashamed monarchist revels in Queen’s jubilee” →