Brooke van Velden doesn’t immediately strike you as a politician. She’s young – she turned 30 this year, and she’s very calm and softly spoken.
“I was actually a very shy child,” smiles Brooke, who is wearing her signature vibrant pink at her Act electorate offices in Tāmaki – an old single-storey building that was once the St Heliers police headquarters.
“I used to go bright red if someone spoke to me. Mum tells me I’d cling to her skirt and not say anything. I much preferred books. I had friends, but I certainly wasn’t the life of the party!”
Despite her shyness, the building blocks of what Brooke was to become were being placed. The daughter of a nurse and a mechanic, and youngest sister of three boisterous brothers, Brooke was brought up reading the daily newspaper.
“My parents weren’t political, but they believed wholeheartedly in giving us a good education,” she recalls. “We were told we should never be afraid of having an opinion and we were expected to bring it to the dinner table. In our family, there were never devices at the table – there was discussion. Mum made sure I understood that being female, and the youngest of four, didn’t mean my opinion didn’t matter.”
この記事は New Zealand Woman's Weekly の September 18, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は New Zealand Woman's Weekly の September 18, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Sweet SUCCESS
Delicious twists on traditional favourites
Calzone CRAVING
Anything you can put on top of a pizza can go inside these air fryer Italian turnovers
Kai & kindness - ‘OUR RECIPE FOR A GOOD LIFE'
The foodie and her brother have dished up a cookbook full of comfort
Kia Ora Dame! 'I HAD A BIGGER PURPOSE'
It could have taken a toll on her, but Naida's phone greeting started a legacy
Dame Hinewehi's healing haka - 'IT'S GOING TO CHANGE LIVES'
Beating a world record is personal for the music therapy founder
Unbreakable Mamie - 'I'M READY TO FAMOUS!' BE
The TV star and model is excited about what the future holds
Below Deck detective - CAPTAIN LEE'S SEA CHANGE
The superyacht hero's family tragedy has led him to navigate scary waters
Swings & roundabouts - OWEN'S BIG KID PROJECT
Playtime's a whole lot more fun thanks to the radio host
Haunted by tragedy - KATE'S SHOCK LOSS
The star is still dealing with the death of her dad when she was aged four
Top-secret royal plan - BRINGING HARRY HOME
Disillusioned with life in the US, the prince is reaching out to friends in the UK