Pippa's superpower - WHY I HAD TO STEP UP

The beloved TV presenter is all about giving those in need a fair go

- Cloe Willetts

‘It can be all it takes to overcome a difficult time – feeling like someone’s got your back’

It’s a Friday afternoon on Auckland’s North Shore as much-loved broadcaster Pippa Wetzell takes a break from dinner-party preparation to chat to the Weekly. The Fair Go host is excitedly anticipating a quick-stop visit from her Australian-based brother, who she hasn’t seen in nine months, while her kids Brodie, 14, Cameron, 12, and Taj, 10, happily help where they can thanks to time off school for a teacher’s only day.

“Our kitchen looks like an absolute bombsite at the moment,” laughs the former Breakfast presenter, 44, whose daughter Cameron, aka Cami, has just whipped up a fresh batch of brownies for dessert. “We’re having a big family catch-up, so it’ll be lovely. I’ve hopefully cooked enough food for 15 people, but there always seems to be more people who come to these family dinners!”

While there’s nothing the television personality loves more than a family gettogether over a big, lovingly cooked meal, she admits dinnertime at her house usually revolves around ease.

“The kids are at the age where they have lots of activities after school that run into the evenings, so I have to figure out what I can cook that’ll please everyone and be easily reheated at different times,” she tells. “But they can make some meals themselves now, too.

Cami makes a very good halloumi salad, and she’s into smoothie bowls and loves a bit of food styling, so anything she prepares is often beautiful. We’ll keep nurturing her hobby, so maybe she can take over kitchen duties one day soon!”