Judith Collins MP
National Party Veterans Affairs Spokeswoman

23 February 2006

Nancy Wake must be honoured

New Zealand-born Nancy Wake, who at the age of 93 is one of our greatest living war heroines, must be honoured now, says National's Veterans Affairs spokeswoman, Judith Collins.

In Parliament today, Ms Collins asked Minister Ruth Dyson whether she supported the call for Nancy Wake to be honoured, or if she supported her colleague Jim Anderton, who said of Nancy Wake this week: 'Being famous, and born in New Zealand, are not of themselves sufficient reasons for her to be considered for an honour, however heroic her history.'

"Nancy Wake was and is a lot more than that," says Ms Collins.

"She has been honoured by Great Britain, France, USA and Australia, and as such was the Allied Forces' most decorated servicewoman. At one stage she was also the Gestapo's most wanted person.

"Jim Anderton and every other New Zealander owe Nancy Wake and our war veterans a huge debt of honour. Mr Anderton's comments belittle the immense courage and self-sacrifice of Nancy Wake and are an insult to every one of our veterans.

"Jim Anderton must be sacked from any position with the Honours secretariat. He's clearly made up his mind against Nancy Wake."

ENDS

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