Cooking With Sass! - Paula's Year Takes The Cake

THE POLITICIAN AND KEEN BAKER IS LIVING THE SWEET LIFE

- Kelly Bertrand

Clad in a bubblegum pink jumpsuit, paired with fabulous pastel-hued heels and a lick of fuchsia lippy, Paula Bennett is a candy-coloured vision as she warmly welcomes the Weekly onto her photo shoot set.

Camera-ready even before our make-up artist has a chance to pick up her brushes, Paula’s in the mood for celebrating. She’s just bought a new house (in west Auckland, naturally), is about to make her reality television debut (more on that in a minute) and has dubbed this one of her best years yet.

And, of course, she’s undertaken an incredible weight-loss journey in the most public of forums after having a gastric band fitted two years ago, and is now happily at her goal weight. Indeed, so much has changed for National’s deputy leader it’s hard to know where to start – although, as she regales with a laugh, a few members of Generation Z recently gave it a go.

“Apparently, I’ve had a ‘glow-up’,” she chuckles. “I had no idea what it meant, but it’s when you transform yourself. But I can’t say I feel particularly glowy today, I’m actually blimmin’ tired. I searched the house for a Berocca, but because we’ve moved I can’t find any. But anyway, here I am!”

It’s been a big 12 months for Paula, who celebrated her 50th birthday in style, with not one but three parties, because, why not? “It’s been a great year, actually,” she nods. “Both personally and professionally. I’ve really enjoyed it, and I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot. And it’s going to be a good one next year.”

Ah yes, election year. Paula’s certainly gearing up for a battle. As she chats to the Weekly, tradies are at her new house, plumbing in her fridge and installing what she likes to call “the war room”, otherwise known as her home office.