Peters Winston: Obituaries — Hon Brian Donnelly 
Peters Winston: Obituaries — Hon Brian Donnelly 
[Volume:650;Page:19170] 
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) 
: 
 I have to report some sad news to the House and that is the passing of the Hon Brian Donnelly at 2.20 p.m. today. The Hon Brian Donnelly was born in Auckland in November 1949. He was educated at Sacred Heart College Auckland to which he won a scholarship. He attended Auckland University and Massey University gaining a Bachelor of Arts a Bachelor of Education a Master of Educational Administration a Diploma in Teaching and a Diploma in Second Language Teaching. 
He worked in the education field for 25 years before he came to Parliament. His teaching career included teaching in primary secondary area and intermediate schools and also being the deputy principal of Titikaveka College in Rarotonga from 1977 to 1980. He was principal of Whangarei Intermediate School from 1990 to 1996. He was a part-time lecturer at the Auckland College of Education where he taught papers in Advanced Studies for Teachers and the Diploma in Educational Management. He also tutored university papers at both Auckland and Massey universities. In 1978 he was awarded the A H and A W Reed prize for Pacific History. He also worked for the Education Review Office for 10 months in 1990. 
Those who remember Brian will know that he was a very active sportsman. In rugby league he represented Auckland Northland the New Zealand Universities and the New Zealand Colts and he was a Kiwi trialist on several occasions. He assisted in the introduction of rugby league to the Cook Islands was responsible for the inaugural inter-school competition in Auckland and has managed both Northland and New Zealand university teams. He also represented the Cook Islands in rugby union. 
Brian Donnelly entered politics in 1993 standing for New Zealand First in the Whangarei electorate and he came within a few hundred votes of victory. He was appointed Minister responsible for the Education Review Office and Associate Minister of Education following the formation of the New Zealand First - National coalition Government in December 1996. He was a superb Minister of Education. 
During his time here Brian’s goal was to be an advocate for the people of Northland for teachers for children and for worthy causes. He ended his career as the High Commissioner to the Cook Islands where he was appointed earlier this year. I might just share something with members. He said to me: “Can I be appointed after the election?” and I said: “Brian I don’t think it quite works that way. Perhaps you should take up the appointment now.” And I am glad he did. 
Brian was married to Linda for many many years and their three children are Theresa who is a qualified lawyer and of course Ioane and Erena. 
Brian Donnelly was a man of enormous integrity and character. He was a superb member of caucus a loyal member of this Parliament and a very worthy parliamentarian. I am certain I can say that across the divide of politics he had friends everywhere who respected him and he respected them. He was despite his academic bent a very good Kiwi man who respected women ideas and values. I know it is common on such occasions for people to use all manner of grand words regarding a personality but on this particular occasion I think those words have a special significance. So I pass on our condolences sincere and heartfelt to Linda and her children for a life wonderfully spent. 
Waiata