Simon’s party of five I’VE FOUND MY TRUE HAPPINESS

It’s been just over a year since he lost his role as leader of the National Party, but at his home in Tauranga, surrounded by his bubbly three children, wife Natalie and their affectionate dog Jasper, Simon Bridges has a lot to smile about.

“It’s undeniable that when you work 100 hours per week, it takes its toll, it ages you,” he says. “But as I sit here, I feel like a box of birds, I really do.”

The 44-year-old is relishing the extra time he now has to spend with his family and the opportunity to be more involved in household tasks.

“We’re just doing normal things and I’m doing a lot of firsts with my kids,” Simon says, speaking about Emlyn, nine, Harry, seven, and Jemima, three. “I’m even doing a hunting trip with the boys in October. It’s not something I would normally get out of bed