John Armstrong stood down from his role at the Herald in October. Photo / Mark Mitchell
John Armstrong stood down from his role at the Herald in October. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The Herald's former political correspondent John Armstrong says he's "extremely chuffed" to be recognised in the New Year Honours for his three decade career commenting and reporting on politics.
Armstrong stood down from his role at the Herald in October after the Parkinson's disease he was diagnosed with 15 years ago took its toll.
He has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of services to journalism.
Armstrong said he was surprised to be offered the honour for what he saw as doing his job. "But I'm extremely chuffed by the recognition of three decades of experience in politics."
Armstrong started working in the Press Gallery in 1985 for NZPA and went to the Herald in 1987, where he spent a decade as political editor and then political correspondent. He was an influential columnist and was acknowledged by politicians and peers across the board when he stepped down.
His career spanned 10 general elections, 28 Budgets, seven Prime Ministers and one encounter with Nelson Mandela which Armstrong counts as a highlight.
John Armstrong (right) receives a caricature from NZME managing editor Shayne Currie. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Armstrong said having to leave that job because of Parkinson's was difficult.
"I had to go cold turkey on leaving the environment I loved. I never had a day when I didn't want to go to work. That's a lucky position to be in. But I think in a funny way having Parkinson's helped me be more direct, bold, and brave because you never knew how long you would get to do the job. The disease doesn't follow the same path for everyone so you had to make the most of what you had."
Armstrong attributes his ongoing fascination in politics partly to the change to the MMP electoral system in 1996.
"Had [First Past the Post] continued I probably would have left the Press Gallery because it was one-dimensional politics. But MMP is multi-dimensional.
He said he was disappointed not to have seen Winston Peters as Prime Minister.
"It would have been 'interesting'," he says. "It's a great tragedy of New Zealand politics that whenever he's come close to winning the job he falls at the final hurdle."
He said if Peters had stuck with the National Party he would have been New Zealand's first Maori Prime Minister.
"But had he done so, it wouldn't have been the real Winston Peters."
Armstrong said although the honour was recognition of his work, his colleagues were an important part of that.
"Politics is a team effort and so is the coverage of politics."
He also paid tribute to Herald editors for the confidence put in him.
"I think I made a contribution by putting analysis and opinion about what was happening in politics on the front page."
There are ominous signs Armstrong is suffering withdrawal symptoms from going cold turkey after leaving the Press Gallery.
He has picked up a sudden interest in American football on the basis that if millions of Americans enjoy it there must be something to it. And the man who once won an award for a column criticising bloggers is contemplating starting up his own blog.
