Wednesday, 14 August 2024 09:25

The cradle and the corridor

Written by  Peter Burke
Horticulture Minister Nicola Grigg. Horticulture Minister Nicola Grigg.

"I've still got my trainer wheels on".

That's how Nicola Grigg is describing her first weeks back in Parliament after six months maternity leave and now looking after her new baby in the precincts of Parliament.

She says it's funny being both a new mum and a new minister at the same time, but says she's very lucky having a great support team around her which helps her cope.

"I've got my baby up here and my office looks like a crèche. I have a really good nanny and his dad comes up sometimes as well, so this is the new norm for me," she says.

In many ways Grigg is making history. It's 40 years since a National MP has had a baby while in government and that was Ruth Richardson back in 1983.

"You have to make things work, because we want female representation in Parliament and so in some ways I am something of a crash test dummy.

"If I can succeed in being a good mum, minister and local MP, that should motivate other women to do the same," she says.

More like this

Dreams aren't plans

OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery finally roars to life.

If voters see some growth and wages rising faster than prices, the government could say they've "fixed" things as they ride into the next election.

Back here on Earth though, the economy they inherited is a basket case, and the long-term headwinds are fierce.

Political commentator Liam Hehir says, "dreams are not plans" and if the turnaround doesn't come in time, National may have no choice but to go negative.

"Everybody wants to fight on the economy if they can. But when neither side has a compelling story, the contest shifts to other issues. That's not new. In fact, it's the stuff of politics everywhere, always."


 Read More:


Featured

Trial shows benefits of spring nitrogen use

A landmark New Zealand trial has confirmed what many farmers have long suspected - that strategic spring nitrogen use not only boosts pasture growth but delivers measurable gains in lamb growth and ewe condition.

Eric Roy: Championing the pork industry

It was recently announced that former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has stepped down of New Zealand Pork after seven years. Leo Argent talks with Eric about his time at the organisation and what the future may hold.

National

Machinery & Products

Yamaha acquires Robotics Plus

New Zealand based company Robotics Plus, a specialist in agricultural automation, has announced an agreement for it to be acquired…

Ecorobotix announces NZ dealership

Swiss-based Ecorobotix has announced its entry into the New Zealand market through a strategic partnership with Canterbury-based New Zealand Tractors.

Sorting unwashed potatoes made easy

Downs, a leader in potato reception, automated sorting, and storage, has introduced its new high-throughput optical sorter for unwashed potatoes…

Jumbo X saves time and money

A winner of a prestigious ‘Technical Innovations 2024’ award by FederUnacoma at the EIMA show in Italy, the Maschio Jumbo…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

"Our" business?

OPINION: One particular bone the Hound has been gnawing on for years now is how the chattering classes want it…

Struth blue!

OPINION: Our Aussie mates never miss a chance to put one over us, as seen in a recent op-ed by…

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter