Haere mai, ANNE

The Princess Royal kept calm and carried on during a cyclone-ravaged tour of NZ

She’s highly respected for her hard work, dedication to duty and no-fuss attitude. Now Princess Anne has endeared herself to Kiwis with her heartfelt message to those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

The Princess Royal arrived in New Zealand for a four-day visit on Wednesday February 15, when the full extent of the devastation wreaked by the cyclone was yet to be revealed. She made the long trip here to take part in the 100th anniversary celebrations for the army’s Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals (of which she is Colonel-in-Chief) at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North, but that had to be scrapped as the army was focusing on responding to what has turned out to be one of this country’s worst natural disasters.

Instead Anne, 72, who was accompanied by her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, 67, visited the National Crisis Management Centre at the Beehive to meet with crisis response staff.

She then released a statement saying, “My thoughts are with all New Zealanders whose homes or livelihoods have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle… I am impressed by the major efforts being undertaken by fi rst responders, local and national agencies to ensure the best possible support for everyone, especially those still at risk.”