Beehive, baby & a blessing - 'I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE READY!'
New Zealand Woman's Weekly|August 07, 2023
Now his family is complete with the arrival of daughter Taitimu, Tāmati Coffey is stepping back into politics with husband Tim's support
Catherine Milford
Beehive, baby & a blessing - 'I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE READY!'

It’s a normal afternoon for the Smith-Coffeys. Tāmati is in Wellington, while Tim is home in Rotorua, playing sticky monsters with four-year-old Tūtānekai. The newest family member, six-month-old Taitimu, is asleep next door.

“When I first entered politics in 2017, I made a quip to Tim about having kids,” says Tāmati, who spends the week in Wellington and weekends in Rotorua. “That wish came true – we’re now a family of four.”

However, where “home” is has taken new meaning after Tāmati announced on July 30 he’s put retirement on hold and is looking to relocate to the East Coast to stand for the electorate following the departure of his friend and colleague Kiri Allen from politics.

“Since I announced my retirement in March, I’ve thrown myself into parliamentary work and it’s really enjoyable,” tells Tāmati. “Some people felt I had signed out too early, so when Kiri resigned, I talked with colleagues, and with Tim, Mum, Dad and my village of whānau, who gave me the green light. They’ve promised to wrap around as a family so I can do the job and still be a very present dad.”

Tāmati makes a point of acknowledging Kiri for going public about mental health in politics.

“Parliament can be brutal,” he says. “We are told daily that we are doing a terrible job, and it’s other people’s jobs to yell at us and try to bring us down. I love what I do and I feel very privileged to do it, but it’s a vicious environment. It can be easy to forget that politicians are just as human and as vulnerable as anyone else.” The East Coast region is very familiar to Tāmati.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEW ZEALAND WOMAN'S WEEKLYView all
The perfect GETAWAY
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

The perfect GETAWAY

From lengthy airport clinches to party ghosting, Michéle examines goodbyes

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Message in a BOTTLE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Message in a BOTTLE

Kevin makes a discovery in his shed that piques his detective skills

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Empowered & thriving!  PERFECT AT ANY AGE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Empowered & thriving! PERFECT AT ANY AGE

Weekly editor Marilynn bravely shares her bold new approach to living her best life at 50 and beyond

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

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

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT

The podcaster’s eyes have been opened to a new way of life

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

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

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

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

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

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

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART

The actor is embracing life with his zero-drama’ partner

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB

The Kiwi health legend is taking a jab at teaching kids important life skills

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024