When I was a kid Knights were my heroes. So too was Robin Hood and pirates and Zorro,

But Knights especially. Knights were brave, they were heroic. They rescued damsels and slayed dragons. Knights fought for justice and despatched evil. They were loyal and in some cases iconic. Oh, some went off the rails but Sir Lancelot took care of them.

In New Zealand it was the dragons who dumped on the Knights. Took them off the table, out of circulation and dispatched them for all time. No place in C21st N.Z. for chivalry, honour or integrity.

And then along came John !

And returned Knighthoods to their rightful place. Not, (hopefully) for purchase, not for cronyism and not 'for your mates'. And certainly not as part of an undeserved political exit package. But for true, real and genuine achievers.

Peter Charles Leitch never looked for this kind of recognition. Yes, he was proud of his QSM but in a humble sort of way. He makes much of his working class origins and is a shining beacon to kids today that hard work, imagination, standards and principles can deliver success.

His tireless effort for charity is undoubtedly the main justification for his Knighthood and what is seen publicly is, I suspect, just the tip of the iceberg. I know it is. Over the last few years Janice has battled cancer, Peter lost a brother to it and was diagnosed himself earlier this year. Attitude is all important to survival and todays announcement hopefully arms him with another psychological defence.

I argued for the return of Knights and Dames to the top of the Honours list. Today, I can't tell you how happy I am.

Leighton.