Brooke van Velden is preparing to leave Parliament after six years as an MP and three as a Cabinet minister.

At just 33, she could have had decades of political life ahead of her. Instead, van Velden says she wants to find out what else is out there — as she also prepares for another major change, becoming a mother.

She joins Paula Bennett for a candid conversation about growing up shy, finding her way into ACT almost by accident, life as a young woman in Parliament, the compromises that come with Cabinet, why she has no doubts about stepping away, and what happens when being “Minister” simply becomes being Brooke again.

Brooke van Velden is preparing to leave Parliament after six years as an MP and three as a Cabinet minister.
At just 33, she could have had decades of political life ahead of her. Instead, van Velden says she wants to find out what else is out there &mdash; as she also prepares for another major change, becoming a mother.
She joins Paula Bennett for a candid conversation about growing up shy, finding her way into ACT almost by accident, life as a young woman in Parliament, the compromises that come with Cabinet, why she has no doubts about stepping away, and what happens when being &ldquo;Minister&rdquo; simply becomes being Brooke again.

Paula Bennett's life journey has had plenty of ups and down - going from a teenage solo mum in Taupo all the way to deputy Prime Minister - but it's taught her a lot along the way. One thing she has learned is it’s never too late to learn something new.

In Ask Me Anything, Paula will be talking to Kiwis from all walks of life, to learn how they got to where they are, and to share stories, advice and guidance the rest of us can learn from.  New episodes out fortnightly on Sundays.

Paula Bennett's life journey has had plenty of ups and down - going from a teenage solo mum in Taupo all the way to deputy Prime Minister - but it's taught her a lot along the way. One thing she has learned is it&rsquo;s never too late to learn something new.
In Ask Me Anything, Paula will be talking to Kiwis from all walks of life, to learn how they got to where they are, and to share stories, advice and guidance the rest of us can learn from.&nbsp; New episodes out fortnightly on Sundays.

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett

Brooke van Velden on leaving politics and what comes next

John Aiken is used to giving advice on Married at First Sight. But when he needed help with his own parenting, he turned to Nigel Latta.

Returning to Ask Me Anything, John joins Paula Bennett to discuss bringing Nigel’s work to the screen in Lessons on Living, coping with grief and the three principles at the heart of the series. They also explore MAFS bad behaviour, modern dating and Paula’s unusually named inner critic.

Hear more about:

• Why “speaking your truth” can cross into disrespect.
• Nigel Latta’s advice on control, resilience and leaning on your team.
• How Paula deals with the voice telling her she’s not good enough.
• The parenting lesson John still uses at home — and on MAFS.

John Aiken is used to giving advice on Married at First Sight. But when he needed help with his own parenting, he turned to Nigel Latta.
Returning to Ask Me Anything, John joins Paula Bennett to discuss bringing Nigel&rsquo;s work to the screen in Lessons on Living, coping with grief and the three principles at the heart of the series. They also explore MAFS bad behaviour, modern dating and Paula&rsquo;s unusually named inner critic.
Hear more about:
&bull; Why &ldquo;speaking your truth&rdquo; can cross into disrespect. &bull; Nigel Latta&rsquo;s advice on control, resilience and leaning on your team. &bull; How Paula deals with the voice telling her she&rsquo;s not good enough. &bull; The parenting lesson John still uses at home &mdash; and on MAFS.

John Aiken on the Nigel Latta advice that stayed with him

What makes Chris Hipkins tick away from the political spotlight?

In the first of two conversations with the major party leaders, Paula Bennett asks Hipkins about his Lower Hutt childhood, his student protest days and the unexpected conversation that put him on the path to becoming prime minister.

He also opens up about fatherhood, protecting his children’s privacy, his unplanned election-night relationship announcement and why sausage rolls are off the campaign menu.

Then Hipkins turns the questions on Paula, prompting a candid admission about her biggest political regret.

What makes Chris Hipkins tick away from the political spotlight?
In the first of two conversations with the major party leaders, Paula Bennett asks Hipkins about his Lower Hutt childhood, his student protest days and the unexpected conversation that put him on the path to becoming prime minister.
He also opens up about fatherhood, protecting his children&rsquo;s privacy, his unplanned election-night relationship announcement and why sausage rolls are off the campaign menu.
Then Hipkins turns the questions on Paula, prompting a candid admission about her biggest political regret.

Chris Hipkins on the conversation that changed everything

Former NZSAS soldier Mark Law has lived the kind of life that barely sounds real. He completed SAS selection at just 18, survived a terrifying parachuting accident, worked armed security around diamond operations in Angola, hunted deer from helicopters and nearly died from a flesh-eating disease.

But he is best known for what happened on December 9, 2019. After Whakaari White Island erupted, Mark and his colleagues flew to the island and helped rescue 12 victims as authorities decided no official rescue mission would be sent.

On Ask Me Anything, Mark joins Paula Bennett to reflect on his remarkable life, what happened on Whakaari, the aftermath of the disaster and the lessons he has learnt about risk, resilience and staying calm under pressure.

Former NZSAS soldier Mark Law has lived the kind of life that barely sounds real. He completed SAS selection at just 18, survived a terrifying parachuting accident, worked armed security around diamond operations in Angola, hunted deer from helicopters and nearly died from a flesh-eating disease.
But he is best known for what happened on December 9, 2019. After Whakaari White Island erupted, Mark and his colleagues flew to the island and helped rescue 12 victims as authorities decided no official rescue mission would be sent.
On Ask Me Anything, Mark joins Paula Bennett to reflect on his remarkable life, what happened on Whakaari, the aftermath of the disaster and the lessons he has learnt about risk, resilience and staying calm under pressure.

Brooke van Velden on leaving politics and what comes next

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