CHILDHOOD. It’s the formative time of our lives, magical at any level. What makes it more interesting for most people is that children are different.  Some are very different.
One such child was Wade Hall, now 27, who happily admits to having been an unusual kid, obsessed with politics from kindergarten. His parents supported him, although he believes many wouldn’t have.
“I liked wheeling and dealing. My parents encouraged my interests. They bought me a briefcase and a fake cellphone. I raided all my board games for pretend money and I’d offer to make investments. I tried to buy a Footrot Flats toy from my brother but he rejected the currency,” laughs Hall, who wore a tie to school when his classmates were in t-shirts and went to an election night barbecue in 1990 when he was just six.
“I was transfixed by the television as the results were coming in. I didn’t understand politics but was really hopeful Bolger would make it.”
When Chaffers Marina opened he went to watch the Prime Minister opening the ceremony.
“I remember yelling, ‘Hi, Mr Bolger! How are you?’ I was so excited to see him whereas most kids my age were interested in movie stars.”
Things just got stranger at Hall’s 10th birthday party, when he arranged an APEC conference for his friends.
“Bolger had been to APEC the year before and I’d seen him talking trade with Bill Clinton. I admired the APEC shirts, representing the host country. I was turning 10 and wanted to do the same.”
Hall’s mum ordered a matching t-shirt for every party guest, who would each represent a different country.
“We had our meeting, then a limousine took us to Porirua McDonalds. I cut the cake and said a few words and took questions. Back at home we had a press conference on the lawn. It was our mini APEC in Wellington, New Zealand.”
Hall says it is important to support children’s eccentricities.
“All children have potential. Although I trained to become a funeral director, my love for politics has endured and I’m now working for the Family Court.”
Hall, also a Freemason and active in many community organisations, definitely wants to get into politics himself.
“Then maybe I’ll go to a real APEC conference!” he laughs.
All About Kids Expo, Wellington Town Hall, August 28