Interesting day at the office

Post date: Sep 30, 2013 9:29:50 AM

Writing this from Auckland. I'm working and Tony decided that because it was school holidays he could come too Nice to have a bedfellow in a hotel:-)

As a bonus Tony has spent a bit of time with Maria today (lunch &dinner because I was working)

One of the events I am here for was the launch of a Maori and Pacific community programme on gout education. It was held at a marae v close to Auckland airport - beautiful venue. Apparently owned by Auckland airport and managed by Tainui. Notable because it honours women in carvings and photos as well as men.

In an interesting touch the 2 figureheads for the meeting were Sandra Kirby from Arthritis NZ and Dame Georgina Kirby.

Dame Georgina was keen to find out if our respective husbands might be related but we couldn't find a connection.I don't have a copy of the photo that was taken of the Kirby women - but here is one of me with Pita Sharples and two of our staff.

Pita Sharples - Minister of Maori Affairs was present and spoke.