Dawes Family in New Zealand

Morning Tea With John Key

Now of course anyone who doesn’t know their NZ politics will be asking who is John Key? For those of us here in New Zealand we know Mr John Key – as the Prime Minister!

We were so exceptionally lucky to be part of something very special, a moment that will be one of our best moments ever, a time that not only I personally will always remember but Bethany too.

Bethany’s school has been tirelessly raising money to upgrade the teachers building, and to get the children a new and updated playground. Over $100,000 was finally raised and put to good use. John Key accepted an invitation to be the special guest of honour to officially open the new building and the playground, but the honour of having him was all ours.

Expecting to be over powered by entourage he arrived with only a few security detail (that we could see anyway!) and his mood was calm and relaxed. The Principal of the school, John Masson gave a fantastic opening speech and welcomed other distinguished guests we had with us, such as the local mayors. There was also an entourage of news reporters and their camera’s following, which was all quite exciting.

After the Principal gave his opening speech we were spoken to by a representative from the local Marae, who spoke a prayer. Then it was time for the Prime Minister of New Zealand to speak to us all. It was all quite overwhelming to think that a man of such importance to our country not only has the time and willingness to come to our little school, but the fact he is under no threat is quite amazing – imagine what security would be like should we have been in England and the Prime Minister was to visit, or of course Barack Obama!

John Key addressed the children in such a lovely way, the parents and teachers were so proud to have their little faces beaming with enthusiasm whilst listening to stories, and then to hear them sing songs to the Prime Minister brought tears to our eyes. The National Anthem always striking the hearts of everyone, but to hear the children singing also in Maori is just purely inspiring.

Three older children we selected to make a speech and then give John Key a gift which was a hand drawn picture of himself, a lovely memento!

After the speeches and chats, John Key left to go and officially open the office block and the playground, which only a few people could attend, so we all gathered and had cups of tea waiting for him to return. A little while later he appeared and then hung around the playground for a long time, speaking to children and doing autographs. It was all so very surreal!

There were children there getting photos with John Key, of course not one to miss a chance I went in search of Bethany to get photographed with him – but she was no-where to be found! By the time I searched the school grounds and finally found her (doing writing with friends in the classroom!) John Key had to leave, so we missed the photos!

Still though that didn’t matter, it was an amazing experience for us all, and an honourable and magic moment in the history of our school.

We recorded and scanned every news channel that night, as the whole event was filmed, but sadly it wasn’t shown. Probably because the PM didn’t slip up in any way, I did mention someone should have stuck a foot out as he walked past, or someone run in to do a protest, we sure would have made the news then!

The papers did however mention it the next day which was awesome, such a brilliant day!