Dining with heroes 2

Dahil eleksyon po dito sa atin, naisip ko i-compile yung mga sagot ng ilang MPs mula sa ibang blog posts ko.  They were respondents to my old blog's Q&A. Suntok sa buwan yung iba d'yan, buti naman at sinagot ako.  However, there are a few that I do know personally and I've seen how they interact with their constituents, especially with the Filipino community.  I'm interested in finding out who are their heroes and inspiration, by answering the question: name three people, living or dead, you'd like to invite for dinner and why?

Photo c/o parliament.nz

Jacinda Ardern (Labour Party)
A: Earnest Shackleton, the Antarctic explorer and one of my heroes!  His story of survival during the Endurance expedition is amazing and I would love to hear it in person.  Nelson Mandela.  I was lucky enough to meet him a few years ago. What an amazing man.  And finally, Wislawa Szymborska. She is a Polish poet. She lived through World War Two, and went on to win the Nobel prize for Literature.  Her writing is amazing, but I would love to hear her stories in person!

Photo c/o stuff.co.nz

Denise Roche (Green Party)
A: Nelson Mandela - because I am in awe of his ability to be steadfast in his convictions despite being unfairly imprisoned for so long and then going on to try to heal the divisions in his country once he became his country's leader. Helen Kelly - because she died too soon. She had a truly remarkable mind - with enormous creativity and optimism and an incisiveness that sometimes astounded me. Te Rauparaha. I am a direct descendant of this fearsome warrior and while I espouse peace, his strategic mind would be interesting to explore.

Photo c/o forabetterauckland.org.nz

Phil Goff (Mayor, Auckland City)
A: Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Ed Hillary because they were all people with great achievements but real humility who worked hard to make life better for other people.  Actually I did have dinner several times with Ed Hillary when we were together on a visit to Antarctica in 2007.

Photo c/o idealog.co.nz

Nikki Kaye (National Party)
A: Hillary Clinton - to try and understand one of the most competent, female, political leaders.  My Uncle Hamish who died before I was born - so I could meet the man that died so young, did so much and continues to be adored by everyone in my family. Forever loved.  Elvis - it would be a great fun dinner with wonderful soul music and good Southern food.

Photo c/o national.org.nz

Tim Macindoe (National Party)
A: Mahatma Gandhi---his personal life, experiences and example have always moved me.  My paternal grandmother.  She died before I was born and I'd love to have known her and to ask about my father as a child, etc.  C.S. Lewis---a humble, intelligent and faithful man.  His books are always worth reading.

Photo c/o national.org.nz

David Bennett (National Party)
A: I am intrigued by history so would choose some historical figures to see what made them tick, namely Queen Victoria and Abraham Lincoln.  Also, I would like to have dinner with Barack Obama to make some suggestions for the future.

Photo c/o labour.org.nz

Sue Moroney (Labour Party)
A: I would love to get Lorde, Helen Clark and Kate Sheppard together in a room.  They are pioneering Kiwi women and I would enjoy the conversation.  It would be interesting to see the similarities and differences between the woman who fought for the right for women to vote and the 17-year-old modern day self-proclaimed feminist.