New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 1824

While all eyes, of course, were on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the royal wedding, one member of The Firm inconspicuously added some flair to his suit – or so he thought. Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex (54), paired a colourful printed tie depicting cats with his morning suit, and it turns out he’s been wearing a variety of feline ties on special occasions for nearly 20 years! Eagle-eyed watchers have spotted three different ties varying in yellow, green and blue, which the prince has worn to many formal events. This has included official overseas visits and even his wedding to Sophie, Countess of Wessex (53). The Queen’s youngest son is known for his sense of humour, after all, he did work at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really…

I don’t know how politicians do it. The constant scrutiny of their policies and decisions, coupled with the ever -present spotlight on their personal lives, sounds like the definition of most people’s nightmares. But every time I’ve interviewed one of New Zealand’s Members of Parliament, I’ve always been amazed at how willing they are to open up their homes and share details of their private lives with Kiwis. I found this was especially true when I sat down with Paula Bennett a few weeks ago to discuss her deeply personal decision to under go a gastric bypass. A person’s health, especially when it comes to things such as weight, are topics that many would prefer not to talk about. But Paula, who has lost more than 30kg over six months,…

While all eyes, of course, were on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the royal wedding, one member of The Firm inconspicuously added some flair to his suit – or so he thought. Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex (54), paired a colourful printed tie depicting cats with his morning suit, and it turns out he’s been wearing a variety of feline ties on special occasions for nearly 20 years! Eagle-eyed watchers have spotted three different ties varying in yellow, green and blue, which the prince has worn to many formal events. This has included official overseas visits and even his wedding to Sophie, Countess of Wessex (53). The Queen’s youngest son is known for his sense of humour, after all, he did work at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre Company…

He was one of our greatest runners, giving his all every time he took to the athletics track. Thanks to his talent and hard work, Dick Quax won Olympic and Commonwealth silver medals, and was also a world record holder. He also gave his all in his fight against cancer, which first struck in 2013, but ultimately it was a battle he couldn’t win. Dick died last week, aged 70, in Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital. In an interview with the NZ Woman’s Weekly two years ago, the dad-of-three spoke about the cancer, which started as a lump on his neck and later spread to his lungs. He was later invigorated by the news that intense radiation and chemotherapy treatment had gotten rid of the cancer. “I’m just fortunate to be given…

I don’t know how politicians do it. The constant scrutiny of their policies and decisions, coupled with the ever -present spotlight on their personal lives, sounds like the definition of most people’s nightmares. But every time I’ve interviewed one of New Zealand’s Members of Parliament, I’ve always been amazed at how willing they are to open up their homes and share details of their private lives with Kiwis. I found this was especially true when I sat down with Paula Bennett a few weeks ago to discuss her deeply personal decision to under go a gastric bypass. A person’s health, especially when it comes to things such as weight, are topics that many would prefer not to talk about. But Paula, who has lost more than 30kg over six months, was as candid…

Thumbing through the rack of brightly coloured jackets and dresses in front of her, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Paula Bennett selects a hot-pink blazer and grins. “Size 14!” she hoots as she pulls it on, ready for the Weekly’s photographer. It’s been six months since the National MP underwent gastric bypass surgery and Paula (49) says she’s still getting used to the new her. More than 30kg down and four dress sizes smaller, the Paula of today is a very different woman in almost every way, from her body to her job – and even her hair. “I’ve still got the same husband!” she laughs. “But yes, it’s been quite a dramatic change in so many aspects, professionally and personally. I’ve often said, ‘You can’t always dictate the hand…