It’s been just over a year since he lost his role as leader of the National Party, but at his home in Tauranga, surrounded by his bubbly three children, wife Natalie, and their affectionate dog Jasper, Simon Bridges has a lot to smile about.
“It’s undeniable that when you work 100 hours per week, it takes its toll, it ages you,” he says. “But as I sit here, I feel like a box of birds, I really do.”
The 44-year-old is relishing the extra time he now has to spend with his family and the opportunity to be more involved in household tasks.
“We’re just doing normal things and I’m doing a lot of firsts with my kids,” Simon says, speaking about Emlyn, nine, Harry, seven, and Jemima, three. “I’m even doing a hunting trip with the boys in October. It’s not something I would normally get out of bed to do, but Emlyn is into it. I’ve also had a newfound – I won’t say skill because that’s going too far – but the enjoyment of cooking.”
“Having that extra pair of hands is great because I don’t have any support and like a lot of women, I want to be a hands-on mum and have a career,” says Natalie, a former journalist and founder of the successful agency Blink PR.
“We all know it, we all say it, but what happened has been a great reminder that family is the most important thing in my life,” Simon tells the Weekly.
The former Crown prosecutor’s leadership of the National Party was contested by Todd Muller following New Zealand’s level 4 lockdown last year, after a political poll result that saw the party’s support plummet.
Esta historia es de la edición August 23, 2021 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 23, 2021 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
The perfect GETAWAY
From lengthy airport clinches to party ghosting, Michéle examines goodbyes
Message in a BOTTLE
Kevin makes a discovery in his shed that piques his detective skills
Empowered & thriving! PERFECT AT ANY AGE
Weekly editor Marilynn bravely shares her bold new approach to living her best life at 50 and beyond
Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE
From stressed to refreshed! Lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr Jenny Brockis shares the simple steps you should adopt to give your wellbeing a boost
Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT
The podcaster’s eyes have been opened to a new way of life
TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD
After a tough start to motherhood, the foodie tells how she reclaimed her life
Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART
After a decade in the country, she’s given up the good life to return home
New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро
It was a big shift channelling his talent into the hit show Moving Houses, but the sporting legend is a natural
Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART
The actor is embracing life with his zero-drama’ partner
Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB
The Kiwi health legend is taking a jab at teaching kids important life skills