The former prime minister of New Zealand has been made a Dame by the Prince of Wales despite being a republican.

I agree, galaxy, except that I never thought Ardern's or Sturgeon's "path" during the pandemic was acceptable. Both were over-authoritarian and ultimately damaging.

As were most responses globally, in my view. Just look at Sweden where such authoritarianism was not thought necessary and so it has proved.

I was on holiday in New Zealand this time last year and was shocked by how different our perception of her was to theirs. I didn’t meet one person who could say a good word about her - and we travelled right across both islands. A common theme was that her husband was allegedly involved with some shady people. Its a shame as she was someone I admired albeit from the other side of the world

New Zealand became widely regarded as the most pro-China of the Five Eyes partners, which led to tensions with Australia.

I think some in the UK held her in higher regard than those who lived under her governance.

julieray

I was on holiday in New Zealand this time last year and was shocked by how different our perception of her was to theirs. I didn’t meet one person who could say a good word about her - and we travelled right across both islands. A common theme was that her husband was allegedly involved with some shady people. Its a shame as she was someone I admired albeit from the other side of the world

We know quite a number of people who live in New Zealand and they were not at all keen on her.

Baggs

I agree, galaxy, except that I never thought Ardern's or Sturgeon's "path" during the pandemic was acceptable. Both were over-authoritarian and ultimately damaging.

As were most responses globally, in my view. Just look at Sweden where such authoritarianism was not thought necessary and so it has proved.

Australian policy was over-authoritarian too.
Strangely enough, many of the mandates did not apply to political leaders.

The headline is slightly misleading because she was not made a Dame by the Prince of Wales. He only presented the award and it was in fact King Charles who decided to offer her a Damehood.

True ballie. I stand corrected. 😊
The King was approached to give this gong by NZ and he approved of it.

maddyfour

Seems a bit hypocritical to accept if she’s a republican.

Doesn’t it just!
Why was she given this honour anyway?

You can’t compare the UK to NZ as the population is very small there compared to here and the living conditions are too, so saying how great things were around Covid doesn’t make a lot of sense.

I admired and Jacinda enormously. Why all the backbiting and misinformation?

FriedGreenTomatoes2

True ballie. I stand corrected. 😊
The King was approached to give this gong by NZ and he approved of it.

I'm sure people would criticise him if he ignored what NZ government asked for. He can't win can he.

As the musical points out, there is nothin' like a Dame.

semperfidelis

I admired and Jacinda enormously. Why all the backbiting and misinformation?

Do you live in New Zealand semperfidelis?

I'm sure opinions were divided over there too.

grandtanteJE65

Rosie51

Isn't she another woman who doesn't know what a woman is? Backed the transgender Laurel Hubbard because it was easier than backing biological women. A surprising stance for someone who has been pregnant and gone through giving birth, but heyho if it makes you popular......

Why such contempt of transgender people? And of those who accept them?

Can we not just accept that people do not make the decision to change sex, either surgically or legally without serious heart-searchings?

I am not trying to be nasty, I would genuinely like to know why so many who contribute to this forum cannot just accept that we are not all alike, nor should be,

Bravo ! a I couldn’t agree more !

As King Charles has been advised not to visit NZ I wonder if this honour was given to keep those in NZ contented
My son’s father-in-law, who lives in NZ is against the Uk being their sovereign

nanna8

She deserves it, she was a really good PM and I wish we had someone like her here.

I completely agree.

Can we not just accept that people do not make the decision to change sex, either surgically or legally without serious heart-searchings?

It is impossible to change sex, only to change gender.

I am not trying to be nasty, I would genuinely like to know why so many who contribute to this forum cannot just accept that we are not all alike, nor should be,

But we are not all alike.

Why are people so nasty towards those who know that you can’t change sex?

Why are they so nasty towards those who believe that even change of gender, should not be used to harm those people remain the sex and gender they were born with, even if changing gender is a heart-rending choice?

No-one is nasty
We are not all alike.

But understand biological fact

grandtanteJE65

Rosie51

Isn't she another woman who doesn't know what a woman is? Backed the transgender Laurel Hubbard because it was easier than backing biological women. A surprising stance for someone who has been pregnant and gone through giving birth, but heyho if it makes you popular......

Why such contempt of transgender people? And of those who accept them?

Can we not just accept that people do not make the decision to change sex, either surgically or legally without serious heart-searchings?

I am not trying to be nasty, I would genuinely like to know why so many who contribute to this forum cannot just accept that we are not all alike, nor should be,

Where's the contempt of transgender people? My contempt is of males who have enjoyed the physical advantages of a male puberty who, for example, decide they 'feel like' women so should now compete in female sports. The physical advantage of a male puberty, muscle mass, bone density, heart and lung capacity, height etc is not undone by a bit of testosterone suppression. Women are not just handicapped men!!!!!

Of course we're all different, but no mammal whether human or animal has ever changed sex, it's a biological impossibility. Live however you wish, dress however makes you comfortable, but your born biological sex is set in stone.

I don't understand why you are willing to accept that TIM. that is trans identified males, who rape women with their penises should be referred to as she/her in court by their victims and then sentenced to a female prison. Why do you think that female nurses who have objected to a 'transwoman' in their changing room should be be reallocated to a former cupboard so that the penis intact transwoman can avail himself of the 'womens' changing room? The same TW who has declared 'she' hopes to impregnate 'her' girlfriend' with 'her' sperm.
You do realise that the vast majority of transwomen never undergo any surgery, most are far too attached to their penises?There have been less than 9000 GRC issued in the UK .

You really think it's fair that any male who declares they 'feel like a woman' can enter female sports and take prizes and records from biological females? That trans identified men take 'woman of the year' awards? That trans identified men take sponsorships or other sex specified awards from biological females?
Does it never enter your consciousness that there is no outcry from men that biological women are taking their sporting awards, 'man of the year' awards, places on committees etc? Of course not, no man ever has to give way to a transman. Transgender idiology is a mens rights focus.

Do you have a smidgeon of sympathy for tjose USA females who have lost college sponsorship and places to males who suddenly discovered their 'inner woman'?

I could give you many, many more examples but I suspect you're not really wanting to know how this ideology affects real women.

From David - Not for long, she became very unpopular, if she hadn’t resigned she would have been voted out.

I’m currently living in NZ. Jacinta Adhern resigned because she was receiving not just personal death threats but also really vicious threats regarding her small daughter. It all just got too much for her - she was exhausted. I think the way she was treated was appalling. Definitely outside, malignant, dark web players in all this. I’m so sorry she’s gone and think it wonderful that she managed to leave with such dignity. Her parting words were ‘Be Kind’. Perhaps we could all remember that?

I have come to loathe be kind as a slogan. What it generally means is please stop what you are saying as I dont agree with it.

MrsFlowers

JA was an intelligent and graceful leader. She led NZ through significant difficulties, including a massacre, huge wild fires and a volcanic eruption. She was unpopular amongst conspiracy theorists and racists. She made good decisions for NZ around COVID - she was very clear and consistent. It’s entirely wrong that she “tanked the economy”. The current lot of clowns are doing that. I’m very glad that her significance has been recognised.

Totally agree with you Mrs. Flowers.

I think she's a despicable woman who seemed to enjoy having complete control over people a bit too much

SaraC

From David - Not for long, she became very unpopular, if she hadn’t resigned she would have been voted out.

I’m currently living in NZ. Jacinta Adhern resigned because she was receiving not just personal death threats but also really vicious threats regarding her small daughter. It all just got too much for her - she was exhausted. I think the way she was treated was appalling. Definitely outside, malignant, dark web players in all this. I’m so sorry she’s gone and think it wonderful that she managed to leave with such dignity. Her parting words were ‘Be Kind’. Perhaps we could all remember that?

Yes, it was appalling, I agree.

Disagree politically by all means but that is quite evil.