| WELLINGTON: Following the official ceremony, Jenny Shipley is the new holder of the National Party's ceremonial knife. The knife which is revered by members of the National Party has been used since 1957 to mark the transition from one National leader to another.
The time honoured ceremony, which was widely predicted, but the timing of which was unknown, involved the placement of the knife by new party leader, Bill English, in the middle of old party leader Mrs Shipley's back. It is understood that Mrs Shipley herself became aware of the exact timing of the ceremony only shortly before it occurred. Part of the difficulty in predicting the exact timing of the ceremony arose in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in America. Former Prime Minister, and current United States Ambassador, Jim Bolger had been holding the knife in the United States since the last ceremony in which Mrs Shipley brutally stabbed him several times in the back while he was still Prime Minister. It is understood from sources close to Mr Bolger that he believes he was playing a key role in advising American President George W Bush on appropriate strategy in response to the terrorist attacks when he received the call advising that the knife was required. Having attempted several more times to send detailed e-mails to President Bush on appropriate statesman-like conduct, "the Great Helmsman" reportedly set off for New Zealand. However, further complications arose when he sought to take the knife as carry on luggage aboard his plane resulting in a lengthy delay before the plane could take off. It is believed that Mrs Shipley is recovering well, and could yet take responsibility for state services and trade. She is understood to be keen to stay close to Bill English to ensure that there are no further difficulties in making the knife available to future National leaders when next required.  Jenny Shipley |
| Shipley new holder of National Party Ceremonial Knife |
Thursday, 01 November 2001 12:00
