Peace, Quiet & Pinot Noir Paul's Living The Dream

Work? Who Needs It?! The Media Star Has A New Life.

- Sophie Neville

When Paul Henry flew into Los Angeles Airport last month, fellow travellers might have noticed the broadcasting legend chuckling as he filled in his customs forms. For the first time ever, he proudly penned the word “retiree” in the occupation box.

“It really made me laugh,” the 56-year-old tells us over the phone from his holiday home in the US desert resort of Palm Springs.

“I’m quite a young retiree, but I’m embracing everything about it. I’ve always joked about myself being somewhat elderly, so it definitely feels pretty comfortable. I think getting older is a mixture of something that requires congratulations and a certain relief.”

Speaking to Woman’s Day to promote his latest wine release, Paul sounds relaxed and happy with his dreamy new reality. It’s understandable given he’s been largely work-free for five months, coming and going between his Auckland and American homes at his leisure. He insists he doesn’t miss life at Three, where he hosted the Paul Henry breakfast show, and has zero regrets about calling it quits.

“It was a nightmare,” he says about his years of 2.30am starts. “I loved doing the shows, but I will never, ever go back to full-time work. I do not want to die working.”