Dame-to-be Annette, aged four. King Collection

Murchison’s Robinson sisters, Annette (left), Raelene (centre) and Pauline. King Collection

Huge supporters and proud parents Olive and Bill Robinson. King Collection

Grandparents with influence, at left, Robert Robinson and Ruth Woodford Robinson; and . . . King Collection

. . . Jessie and Ned Russ. King Collection

Annette with her beloved Dusky Boy. King Collection

Is it a maul, is it a scrum, is it rugby? Spot halfback Annette directing proceedings as the trainee school dental nurses take on Lincoln College male students in Christchurch. King Collection

Raelene turns 21. Bill, Olive, Annette and Pauline watch her cut her cake. King Collection

Annette in her school dental nurse uniform, and . . . King Collection

. . . the famous march of dental therapists on Parliament that helped awaken her political consciousness. King Collection

Annette’s happy home in Evans Bay, Wellington. King Collection

With Fran Wilde, a major influence on Annette’s early political career; and . . . King Collection

. . . celebrating victory in Horowhenua. King Collection

The family share the victory in Horowhenua, with, from left, Pauline, daughter Amanda, Olive, Raelene and Annette, and nephew and nieces Brad, Samantha and Chloe. Evening Post

Annette shares a joke with long-time campaign manager Lloyd Falck and a young MP, Steve Maharey. King Collection

With old friend Phil Goff. King Collection

Annette with her parliamentary ‘brother’ Jim Sutton. King Collection

Helen Clark shares time with the Horowhenua MP. King Collection

Prime Minister David Lange presides over the Taste of Horowhenua in Parliament. King Collection

New Cabinet minister Annette shares a happy moment with Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer and Koro Wetere. King Collection

The third Prime Minister in the fourth Labour Government Mike Moore with the minister he called ‘Faking’. King Collection

An inseparable trio even now, Annette with her old friends Jenny Newby-Fraser, seated, and Mary Day. King Collection

Not quite a choir of angels, Jenny Newby-Fraser’s husband Terry and Annette’s husband Ray Lind. King Collection

Annette with the love of her life Ray, after he had passed his extensive auditions around the country. King Collection

Daughter Amanda on her graduation day. King Collection

Annette enjoys her new blended family with her stepsons, from left, Chris, Ben and Daniel. King Collection

Determined to win, Annette charges down the straight at Kumara with her colleagues Jim Sutton, Paul Swain and Rick Barker in arrears. King Collection

Grandson William with Amanda and her husband Tim Parsons. King Collection

A gathering of dames — Dame Annette sits proudly alongside Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy. King Collection

Annette realises her dream for primary health care as the Federation of Primary Health formally comes into existence. Annette, who chaired the establishment board, is pictured with the inaugural chair and former colleague Steve Chadwick. Neil Mackenzie