Anderton recognised

The Canterbury Star reports:

An ailing Jim Anderton was presented with an insignia for his services to Parliament at a special investiture ceremony on Sunday.

The long-standing politician was awarded the insignia of a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, after being named on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June.

A small group of family and friends, former Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Helen Clark, and Mayor Lianne Dalziel, were at the ceremony.

Mr Anderton, 79, is frail and was in a wheelchair at the ceremony. It was held at Nazareth House, where he is now living.

Sad to see Mr Anderton so frail. He was one of the most energetic politicians of his time, and carried this energy into retirement. I agreed with him on little, but admired his tenacity and energy.