We celebrated the award of a Kinighthood to Sir Peter Leitch when the Queen's Birthday Honours list was released in June. But let's face it; Sir Butch is a Kiwi icon, so his investiture yesterday is also thoroughly deserving of a mention! The Herald reports:
The Mad Butcher received his new moniker yesterday - officially becoming Sir Peter Leitch at a ceremony in Auckland.
Sir Peter was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to business and philanthropy.
During the investiture ceremony at Government House in Epsom, family members watched as he knelt to receive the honour from Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand.
A rugby league fanatic and the Warriors' biggest supporter, Sir Peter swapped his signature team jersey for a crisp shirt, blazer and tie, draped with a traditional Maori cloak.
But the big smile was still there.
"This award is for the ordinary people," he said. "I couldn't have done anything without people coming to buy my meat."
Recognition of people such as Sir Butch is one of the reasons why we were so supportive of John Key's push to re-establish a titular honours system. Sir Peter is a classic rags-to-riches story of a man who's never lost sight of where he came from.
Sir Butch was reportedly preparing for an all-nighter to celebrate the investiture, which will surprise no-one who has met him in a social situation! Keeping Stock salutes the Regally Mad Butcher - maaaaate!
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