TRAITORS STAR'S SECRET STRUGGLE MY BATTLE WITH PTSD

After suffering in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attacks, former cop Julia has now found the perfect recipe for a happy family life

- Leena Tailor

Blending families can be a challenge, but for The Traitors NZ star Julia Vahry, the key has been simple - not merging all elements of the brood she and partner Richard Briggs have created a wonderful life with.

While the combined clan has enjoyed endless adventures together, Julia makes constant efforts to continue separate activities with her 10-year-old daughter Isla and nine-year-old son James, while Richard does the same with his daughter Mackenzie, 10.

It's an approach that's worked so well that when Julia went off to film Traitors, Richard held down such a fun fort, the kids declared they didn't want Mum to come home! His impressive efforts included orienteering trips, writing a play for the trio to perform and organising a Mexican-themed night, which ended in an epic food fight.

"They did a full-on fight with Wattie's spaghetti while wearing swimming goggles outside - I was jealous when I saw the photos!" says Julia, 37.

Knowing her children would be well cared for was reassuring for Julia as she navigated Traitors, the Three murder-mystery reality series where contestants are faced with the task of catching undercover "killers" hidden among them.

Having to assess character and see through lies is something Julia has some experience with as a former cop, an eye-opening job she entered at age 22. Of her early days in the job, she says, "I'd been raised so straight that I had no idea how a significant portion of society lives the poverty, stress and generational cycles. I became fascinated and bewildered at what people go through, given it had been such smooth sailing for my first 20 years."

Julia initially experienced imposter syndrome and felt she needed to be a "gruff, dominating and assertive" officer. It wasn't until she was sent to Christchurch following the earthquakes and partnered with a rural officer named Bruce that she saw she could simply be herself.