About Peter Acland
Peter McArthur Acland
Throughout his life, Peter was an avid admirer of sound, informative, quality journalism and well written and researched biographies.
To him these writings, and stand-out political journalism were essential to the well-being of our parliamentary processes and the body politic.
Weekends especially had him poring over a pile of newspapers, and magazines, enjoying a glass of good wine and keeping an ear out for latest revelations from the Beehive on radio or television. He was at his most content.
Politics, the decision-makers, the personalities, the motivations of those involved in the big issues of his time were his great and enduring passion.
Educated at Christ College, in the mid-1960s, Peter’s love of journalism started when he initially joined the staff of The Christchurch Star after completing a BA at Canterbury University.
Like so many of his forebears, the lure of Fleet Street and London beckoned, where he was appointed Editor of the UK-published New Zealand News. He was in his element working in Fleet Street, watching the 'Red Tops' - the Mirror, the Express, the Telegraph compete for the most eye-catching of stories and headlines. He thrived on the excitement and the drama that was London in the early 1970s. The goings-on in Westminster and the no-holds-barred reporting and political commentary delighted him.
Peter went on to work as the Press Secretary at NZ House in London before returning to Wellington in the mid-1970s, first as Press Secretary for Sir John Marshall and then Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. He witnessed close-up some of the most momentous decision-making, the rows, the hard ball politics of those tumultuous times.
After five years, he left Sir Robert’s office to join his colleague Gerry Symmans, himself a notable journalist and political adviser, to start Newztel, a news transcription and distribution service using the early electronic data delivery services to transcribe radio and tv news bulletins and documentaries, providing hard copy for a wide range of clients.
However, the arrival of the internet impacted on the need for such a service and the remainder of Peter's working life centred around editing and publishing books on the lives and work of many of influential New Zealanders. One title which gave him great satisfaction was 'Nordy: A political biography of Arnold Nordmeyer'. Nordmeyer, a formidable Labour politician had instigated New Zealand's social security system amid much clamour and criticism. Peter concluded he had been unjustly wronged and the book helped restore Nordmeyer's reputation as one of New Zealand's most ethical and effective politicians of the 20th century. The book was published by Steele Roberts Aotearoa, with whom Peter was associated over many years. Peter was also a director of Black Horse Publishing, which enabled him to refuel his fascination with journalism, politics, books and sport, all areas which form part of the objectives of his Foundation.
A Cantabrian by birth, Peter came to love Wellington. For most of his adult life he lived in Kelburn, a short walk from Parliament and the city. The cable cars, the vista of the harbour, the little historic timber shops and homes along Tinakori Road, were always such a delight to him.
Peter has known and worked with many of the finest practitioners of New Zealand journalism.
To them, he was, and always will be remembered as a "kindly curmudgeon", a man of great loyalty and integrity.
Throughout his life, Peter was an avid admirer of sound, informative, quality journalism and well written and researched biographies.
To him these writings, and stand-out political journalism were essential to the well-being of our parliamentary processes and the body politic.
Weekends especially had him poring over a pile of newspapers, and magazines, enjoying a glass of good wine and keeping an ear out for latest revelations from the Beehive on radio or television. He was at his most content.
Politics, the decision-makers, the personalities, the motivations of those involved in the big issues of his time were his great and enduring passion.
Educated at Christ College, in the mid-1960s, Peter’s love of journalism started when he initially joined the staff of The Christchurch Star after completing a BA at Canterbury University.
Like so many of his forebears, the lure of Fleet Street and London beckoned, where he was appointed Editor of the UK-published New Zealand News. He was in his element working in Fleet Street, watching the 'Red Tops' - the Mirror, the Express, the Telegraph compete for the most eye-catching of stories and headlines. He thrived on the excitement and the drama that was London in the early 1970s. The goings-on in Westminster and the no-holds-barred reporting and political commentary delighted him.
Peter went on to work as the Press Secretary at NZ House in London before returning to Wellington in the mid-1970s, first as Press Secretary for Sir John Marshall and then Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. He witnessed close-up some of the most momentous decision-making, the rows, the hard ball politics of those tumultuous times.
After five years, he left Sir Robert’s office to join his colleague Gerry Symmans, himself a notable journalist and political adviser, to start Newztel, a news transcription and distribution service using the early electronic data delivery services to transcribe radio and tv news bulletins and documentaries, providing hard copy for a wide range of clients.
However, the arrival of the internet impacted on the need for such a service and the remainder of Peter's working life centred around editing and publishing books on the lives and work of many of influential New Zealanders. One title which gave him great satisfaction was 'Nordy: A political biography of Arnold Nordmeyer'. Nordmeyer, a formidable Labour politician had instigated New Zealand's social security system amid much clamour and criticism. Peter concluded he had been unjustly wronged and the book helped restore Nordmeyer's reputation as one of New Zealand's most ethical and effective politicians of the 20th century. The book was published by Steele Roberts Aotearoa, with whom Peter was associated over many years. Peter was also a director of Black Horse Publishing, which enabled him to refuel his fascination with journalism, politics, books and sport, all areas which form part of the objectives of his Foundation.
A Cantabrian by birth, Peter came to love Wellington. For most of his adult life he lived in Kelburn, a short walk from Parliament and the city. The cable cars, the vista of the harbour, the little historic timber shops and homes along Tinakori Road, were always such a delight to him.
Peter has known and worked with many of the finest practitioners of New Zealand journalism.
To them, he was, and always will be remembered as a "kindly curmudgeon", a man of great loyalty and integrity.