British Expats - Bob Parkers Parka

Saw this in the Dom Post today...interesting what aspects of a story get picked up by the world media and politicians!

Bob Parker's infamous orange and black jacket, a key image of the aftermath and recovery of both Canterbury earthquakes, now colloquially referred to as "Parker's Parka", is at the centre of an international bidding war, with several foreign leaders and important people keen to grab a slice of the radiated orange glow from what has become a symbol of hope amongst the grim realities of the world.

A spokesperson for Japanese Prime Minister, Naoto Kan, while debriefing the world media in Tokyo last week, mentioned to a Fairfax Media journalist that the Mr Kan was keen to build the relationship between New Zealand and Japan following recent natural disasters and that his representative in Christchurch had approached the mayor's office to enquire about the availability of Parker's Parka to be loaned to Japan for the PM to wear during the his visit to the ravaged North of the country.

In strange parallel co-incidences, when the Mayor's office was contacted about the story, Bob Parker's media spokesperson, April Fuller, revealed that there had also been enquiries from Libyan leader Muamma Gaddafi who had offered $20,000 for the jacket, as he views it as a symbol of power and defiance during the current struggles in his country. This comes on the back of the story reported in Korea last week that Kim Jong-il, the Northern country ruler, was convinced that the man wearing the "coat of power" must be Prime Minister John Key, as luminous Orange clothing is seen as a regal and powerful colour amongst certain aspects of Korean society.

Julia Gillard also noted her love of the parka, but her fashion advisors have discouraged her from taking her interest any further as they are worried it would clash with her hair.

Phil Goff had asked the company who made the jacket, Earth Sea Sky, who recently auctioned a replica on Trade Me for funds for the quake recovery, and asked them to make him a red and black one for wearing during the Labour election campaign, they declined as they are all big supporters of John Key, who actually owns the only other original Orange and Black variant of the jacket.