Sir Peter Williams receives knighthood early
John Banks, Paul Henry, Winston Peters and others gather at the terminally-ill lawyer's home for a special ceremony.
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Sir Peter Williams QC was made Knight Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for services to the law on Saturday, in what was described as a moving ceremony.
His investiture, first announced in the New Year Honours list, had been scheduled for May.
Sir Peter has terminal cancer.
"I'm really glad the date could be brought forward because I was really worried about Peter's health," said his wife Lady Heeni Phillips-Williams.
"There are a number of people whom you've represented over a number of years who will be absolutely stoked that they've had a hand or hands in getting you to this momentous point," said Governor-General Jerry Mateparae.
The Governor-General also praised Sir Peter's commitment and compassion to humanity.
Sir Peter has been involved in more than 100 murder trials. Defendants he has represented include Terry Clark (aka "Mr Asia"), Arthur Allan Thomas, and Basset Rd machine gun murderer Ronald Jorgensen. He has also been an advocate for penal reform and rehabilitation, pressing his view that prisons make people more criminal.
The ceremony took place at Sir Peter's Auckland home. Guests included Paul Henry, John Banks and Winston Peters.
Typically, the knight had some fighting words.
"There are tremendous things to be done and it makes me angry that I just don't have the strength anymore," he said.
Read an extract from Sir Peter's biography the Dwarf Who Moved here.
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Sir Peter Williams receives knighthood early
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