NEW YEAR, NEW JUDITH ‘I'm rarain' to go!'

THE NATIONAL LEADER IS PROMISING TO MAKE THINGS A LOT MORE THRILLING!

- Karyn Henger

The Judith Collins that most New Zealanders know is the formidable politician who spars off against her opponents in Parliament and is seemingly unshakeable. But there’s a softer, more playful side to the National leader, too, and that’s who the Weekly sees when she arrives for her photo shoot. Relaxed and full of humour, she has a spring in her step and a cheeky smile.

She’s been looking forward to an afternoon of pampering, she confides, and her eyes light up when she spies the rack of gorgeous clothes the stylist has prepared.

Judith is just back from a glorious summer break with her husband David and their son James, 28, the perfect antidote to what she describes as a harrowing 2020.

“I really, really enjoyed not having to turn on my alarm,” the 61-year-old divulges. “Just sleeping until I wanted to wake up. It’s amazing. What a wonderful feeling!”

The former lawyer also enjoyed some downtime in Queenstown. She tells, “We went round a lot of restaurants, went for walks and did some shopping. It was a very restful time.”

Now feeling revitalised and rejuvenated, Judith says, “I’m ready and rarin’ to go!”

The hiatus was what she needed after being thrust into the leader’s role last year, just weeks out from the election.

“It was a big shock,” she reveals of being shoulder-tapped for the job. “I was at home with my feet up, actually. I was watching some rubbish TV when I got a phone call at around 9.30pm. I was told, ‘You’re going to have to step up because Todd Muller is going to resign tomorrow morning.’