The matriarch of the most prominent family in Northland, and possibly New Zealand, Joan Peters, died at her Whananaki home yesterday. She was aged 96.
Three of the 11 children which Mrs Peters, nee McInnes, produced with her late husband, farmer Len Peters, became members of Parliament. Several others have reached
high levels of distinction in their careers.
Her highest-profile son, Foreign Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, first entered Parliament in 1981 and has since served 27 years as an MP.
Eldest son Jim Peters was principal of Northland College at Kaikohe, chairman of the Northland Regional Council, a NZ First list MP from 2002-05, and since 2006 has been pro vice-chancellor (Maori) at the University of Auckland.
Ian Peters was National Party MP for Taupo from 1990-93 and is now a senior Te Puni Kokiri staff member in Whangarei.
Their sister, Marie Tautari, contested the Northern Maori seat for the National Party in 1981 and now works at resolving Northland Maori land claims.
Another sister, Lynette Stewart, chairs the Northland District Health Board and a further sibling, Beverly Saward, is a health worker.
Heather Peters is the director of the University of Auckland Faculty of Education campus at Whangarei.
Whangarei lawyer Wayne Peters is chairman of the Northland Rugby Union and a director of Aotearoa Fisheries.
Ronald Peters is a teacher in Auckland, Alan Peters is a prison officer and David Peters is a farmer at Whananaki.
Joan Peters is understood to have been hurt in a fall about 18 months ago but enjoyed good health until recently.
People wishing to pay their respects to her may join the family at Morris and Morris in Western Hills Drive, Whangarei, between 2pm and 4pm today and tomorrow.
A funeral service will be held in the Morris and Morris chapel at 1.30pm on Monday.
