Wendy's Fighting Spirit: ‘I Can Do So Much More!'

A free agent since losing her job at TVNZ, she’s determined to make the most of things

- Nicky Pellegrino

Surreal – that is the word Wendy Petrie uses to describe her life right now. Most likely lots of us feel that way about the pandemic struck year that is coming to an end. For Wendy, it has been particularly challenging to get her head around the way things have changed because it took a while for her new normal to happen.

Back in July, she was devastated to be made redundant from her job, presenting TVNZ’s 6pm news alongside Simon Dallow. On her final official day on-air in August, there was a farewell morning tea held in the newsroom, a low-key affair with a couple of cakes.

But then, after all the goodbyes had been said, Wendy seemed to be on our screens almost non-stop, appearing on Breakfast, the late news and on weekend bulletins.

“I was bizarrely busy,” she recalls. “People kept saying to me, ‘We’ve never seen you more!’ It was very confusing.”

Right up until the election, Wendy’s schedule was packed as she filled in for other presenters. Then suddenly, with the election over, TVNZ didn’t need her help as much, and she realised this was it, her new life.

“Up until that point, I hadn’t faced the reality of losing my job,” admits Wendy. “Now, for the first time, it was sinking in and I felt very alone. I missed my colleagues and turning up to work every day and my job, which I loved. I felt self-pity and hated that as I don’t like feeling sorry for myself.”