Massive turnout for PM’s Jane Winstone meet and greet

An impromptu visit by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Ryman’s Jane Winstone Village in Whanganui yesterday (Wednesday) resulted in the largest turnout from residents that the village had seen in a very long time.

Residents who packed out the lounge and waited patiently for a chance to meet the PM said they were ‘very impressed’ at Luxon’s determination to get around everyone who had turned out to see him – even as his team started to worry he would be late for his next engagement!

The fact he was game enough to roll a few boules during a game of pétanque in the rest home went down well too, said Village Manager Lisa Puklowski.

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“We had a fantastic turnout from our independent residents and I was delighted to see the Prime Minister interacting with our rest home residents too,” Lisa said.

One of those residents, John Oskam, who is due to turn 100 in July, prompted an amusing comparison from the Prime Minister.

“You’ve got a great head of hair, you’ve got more hair than me!” Luxon said, prompting the wise reply from John: “It’s what’s inside the head that counts.”

After an enthusiastic greeting by team members who lined up to greet him on arrival, and a few requests for selfies from others, the Prime Minister was given a quick tour of the village, including a look at the historic chapel which was preserved from the former Sacred Heart College that used to be on the site.

Local National MP Carl Bates had recently visited the village and was so impressed he recommended the Prime Minister include it in his schedule while visiting Whanganui.

Unlike other visits to Ryman villages where he had given a presentation, Prime Minister Luxon wanted to get straight to the meet and greet, shaking hands with residents, telling them about his recent busy itinerary in Europe for Anzac commemorations at Gallipoli, meeting King Charles and attending the Pope’s funeral with other world leaders.

One resident, Lorraine Candish, told him that she had rung her daughter to invite her along to meet him too and was met with the response, ‘No, mum, he’s overseas!’

“I said, ‘No, he’s going to be at the village today! And here you are!” Lorraine said.

A popular topic of conversation was how long residents had lived at the village and their reasons for moving in and hearing about their experiences and how they made friends.

One resident, Tom Johnson, presented Luxon with a hat he had made with an image of a kiwi and ‘Aotearoa NZ Land of the Long White Cloud’ written on it, which the Prime Minister gratefully accepted and immediately placed on his head, and then returned the gesture by giving Tom a special pin.

Resident Dawn Head’s licorice allsorts earrings also prompted admiration from Prime Minister Luxon who admitted they were his favourite lolly.

Chatting after the visit, Gordon and Marjorie Keelty and their friend Jan Crossan said they were all ‘very impressed’ at his energy, coming straight after a very busy overseas itinerary.

Gordon, a former Army Major who served in Vietnam, said he talked about Gallipolli with the Prime Minister who had just attended the Anzac dawn service there to mark the 110^th anniversary of the first landing.

Finally, the Prime Minister made time for a photo with resident Donna Ward-Brinsdon. The 99-year-old has loyally supported the National party since 1948.

Reflecting on his visit, the Prime Minister said: “It was wonderful to speak with residents of Jane Winstone Village on my visit this week.

“I was encouraged to see everyone in good spirits and I enjoyed the chance to chat one on one to so many.

“Seniors have an abundance of stories and wisdom – I always enjoy my time soaking that up.”

Top pic: David Thomson and Graham Cade pal up to the Prime Minister