When Paula Bennett left politics in 2020, she knew that it was going to be tough living life on the outside, but now she says she has finally found her way back to the real Paula.
The 53-year-old former Deputy Prime Minister has always been an outgoing person, but politics shaped her into someone she confesses she didn’t feel entirely comfortable being for a long time.
“People would always say to me, ‘You’re so much more fun than I thought you would be.’ And I would say to them, ‘Well, a two-minute interview on the tiles of Parliament when I’m being asked if I’ve misspent $20 million isn’t fun,” says Paula.
“I still get asked a lot about politics, don’t get me wrong, but it doesn’t traumatise me now quite as much as it did for the first 12 months after I left.”
One surprising thing that has helped Paula find her way back to her real self is her decision to front a game show on television, something you don’t see a lot of former deputy prime ministers doing in this country.
The second series of Give Us a Clue is about to air on TVNZ 1 and Paula admits that the show went a long way to helping her step out of her political persona.
“It took me about 12 months to detox from Parliament and Give Us a Clue was a big part of it. The performance required me to learn some new skills, but just backing myself for the role in the first place took me way out of my comfort zone. It helped that I was in that mindset of just embracing everything and then seeing what happens.”
Esta historia es de la edición June 20, 2022 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 June 20, 2022 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