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.