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An Hour with Richard Hall - CANCELLED

As Commander of the New Zealand troops in the Bamiyan Province of Afghanistan, Colonel Richard Hall gained a unique insight into the lives of Kiwi soldiers serving in a harsh climate amid daily threats, as well as into the lives of the locals - from the female governor trying to establish order in a patriarchal society, to the farmer scratching a living from an inhospitable land, to the orphaned girls destined to be sold into marriage at a young age.

In A Long Road to Progress, Richard Hall vividly and movingly recalls his experiences, but also explains the vision he tried to implement there on behalf of this country. He offers an astute perspective on working with New Zealand troops, American soldiers, corrupt Afghani officials, intransigent aid organisations, while tackling crippling poverty, ambushing insurgents, impossible terrain and weather.

Richard Hall was awarded a US Meritorious Service Medal at the end of his tour in Afghanistan and this year he was appointed an Additional Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Richard will be in conversation with Chris Laidlaw, broadcaster, writer and former diplomat.