Parekura Horomia has died this afternoon.
Labour MP Parekura Horomia has died surrounded by his family at his Mangatuna home, aged 62.
The Ikaroa Rawhiti MP was understood to have been unwell for some time, but the cause is not known.
Earlier today, his family issued a statement requesting privacy and saying he was at his Mangatuna home convalescing. Read more »
“It will be years – and not in my time – before a woman will lead the party or become prime minister.” – 1974, speech.
“I stand before you tonight in my green chiffon evening gown, my face softly made up, my fair hair gently waved. The Iron Lady of the Western World? Me? A cold war warrior? Well, yes – if that is how they wish to interpret my defence of values and freedoms fundamental to our way of life.” – 1976, speech after Moscow dubbed her the Iron Lady.
“No one would have remembered the good Samaritan if he’d only had good intentions. He had money as well.” – 1980, interview.
“If a woman like Eva Peron with no ideals can get that far, think how far I can go with all the ideals that I have.” – 1980, interview.
“To those waiting with bated breath for that favourite media catchphrase, the U-turn, I have only one thing to say, you turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning.” – 1980, Conservative party conference.
“We knew what we had to do and we went about it and did it. Great Britain is great again.” – 1982, after the end of the Falklands conflict.
“This is a man I can do business with.” – 1984, after her first meeting with Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev.
“I owe nothing to women’s lib.” – 1982, interview.
“We are simply asking to have our own money back.” – 1984, demanding a budget rebate for Britain at a European Union summit.
“I think, historically, the term ‘Thatcherism’ will be seen as a compliment.” – 1985, speech.
“There is no such thing as Society. There are individual men and women, and there are families.” – 1987, interview.
“I don’t mind how much my ministers talk, as long as they do what I say.” – 1987, interview.
“I was told beforehand my arrival was unscheduled, but on the way here I passed a local cinema and it turns out you were expecting me after all. The billboard read The Mummy Returns.” – 2001, speech at a Conservative general election, her first since 1987
H/T: SMH
Twitter is so instant, so unredacted and so raw, you get to see right inside people.
Here is a selection of how the news that Thatcher died unfolded in the minds of some people we know.
Warning: It’s not pretty.
Britain’s greatest peace time Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has died.
Baroness Thatcher, Britain’s greatest post-war prime minister, has died at the age of 87 after suffering a stroke, her family has announced.
Her son, Sir Mark, and daughter Carol confirmed that she died this morning.
Lord Bell, her spokesman, said: “It is with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke this morning.A further statement will be made later.”
Lady Thatcher died at the Ritz hotel at about 11am after suffering a stroke. Her children were not at her bedside as they were abroad. Her doctor and carer were there when she died.
Buckingham Palace said the Queen was saddened by the news.
David Cameron, the Prime Minister, said: “We’ve lost a great prime minister, a great leader, a great Briton. Read more »
Further to my earlier post about Harry Honnor, I have received a few emails. Included was the photo below of Harry Honnor at Nui Dat, two days before The Battle of Long Tan.
Harry Honnor at Nui Dat, Vietnam – Supplied
Broadcasting legend Sir Paul Holmes has died this morning:
Sir Paul Holmes, the controversial broadcaster with the cheeky grin and quick wit, has died at home, surrounded by family.
Holmes’ family issued a statement at 9.30am.
“Sir Paul Holmes passed away peacefully early this morning surrounded by his family at home in Hawkes Bay, as he wished to be.
“Sir Paul had been in poor health since having heart surgery earlier in the year. In recent months he had also been suffering from a resurgence of prostate cancer. Read more »
Today would have been Mum’s 67th birthday.
This post is for my family.
I miss my Mum…and I’m not too tough to admit it.
I am not going to be around much on the blog today.
I thought today would be the second worst day of my life. But it wasn’t.
Sure we laughed, and we cried, but mostly we shared the wonderful life and legacy that my mother created for her and her family.
The funeral went exactly as planned by Mum, right down to the timing.
Many thanks to the hundreds of friends and family who attended and thanks to those who couldn’t be there but sent message of support. It was wonderful to see so many people honour Mum.
For now I am very tired…it has been a tough, tough year. I am so very grateful to those who have assisted me over this year, you all know who you are.
Mum wanted to be piped from the Church to Amazing Grace. She certainly had that… going to miss you Mum:
