Heart Of The Matter Melissa's Wake-Up Call

She’s stoked her boys are healthy

- Cloe Willetts

When 1 News presenter Melissa Stokes isn’t dolled up in front of the TV cameras delivering bulletins, or putting her reporting boots back on for the upcoming new series Now and Then, she’s packing lunchboxes and juggling kids’ sports.

Like any mum of two energetic boys, including a fussy eater and one with ADHD, Melissa, 41, has the big task of feeding sons Hugo, eight, and Freddie, six. And she admits it can be harder than working as one of New Zealand’s most familiar faces in news!

“I try hard to make sure they have proper food or healthy snacks every day, including veges, fruit, fibre and protein, but I don’t hit the mark every day,” admits Melissa, who is married to cameraman Dave Pierce, 44. “My kids have the same sweet tooth I do! But you can only try your best.”