Lilies, daisies... and Jacinda
At myplace
Labour’s hip MP, Jacinda Ardern, takes us through her colourful Auckland home.
Tipped as a future prime minister, Jacinda Ardern is Labour’s hip MP, known for hanging out in Auckland’s ‘It’ crowd and was even once asked to DJ at the Laneway music festival.
Here, Ardern opens the door to her ‘‘chaotic’’ 1990s brick and tile home in Auckland’s Point Chevalier, where she lives with her partner, TV presenter Clarke Gayford.
Ardern’s favourite treasure is an old newspaper clipping showing her grandmother and the late Prime Minister Norman Kirk on their way to a wedding.
‘‘My nana died when I was 12 so we never really talked about politics.
‘‘It reminds me that we probably had a lot in common,’’ Ardern says.
First thing you do when you get home each day?
Kick my shoes off and scavenge in the kitchen.
Best new buy?
Clarke is obsessed with lights. Obsessed. We were meant to go and pick up a few Christmas decorations and we came back with a clear stag head complete with lights and glitter.
Favourite spot to relax?
The kitchen table is where I spend the most time. It’s my office.
Best kept secret about the area you live in?
The Pt Chevalier beach. It’s not really a secret, but if you take a wee walk early enough in the morning you can have it to yourself.
Best money I ever spent on the house?
The Paint Runner Pro.
I saw one at a home show and ranted so much about how good it was that I think someone thought I was working on the stand.
Favourite way of entertaining?
Anything that uses the barbecue.
Best kitchen tool and why?
Salad spinner.
I used to tease mymumabout how obsessed she was with hers… until she bought me one.
I can’t live without?
Cheese. And loved ones of course. But also cheese.
Favourite piece of furniture?
My kitchen table. I picked it up off Trade Me. The table wasn’t in great shape so a friend helped me fix it up.
Favourite household appliance?
Probably the yoghurt maker... pretty handy.
What’s your quick dinner idea?
Cheese and crackers. Does that count?
How do you feel about unannounced guests?
As a professional door knocker, I almost never turn people away!
Shoes on or off in your house?
Shoes off – but that will be short lived.
Favourite/least favourite household chore?
I amembarrassed to say that I enjoy vacuuming… as long as it’s only once a week
What’s one household trick you’ve learnt over the years?
If you’ve been cutting or handling fish, always wash your hands with cold water first instead of hot. It’s way less smelly.
Favourite flowers?
Lilies and daisies. As far as house plants go, I ama big fan of the peace lily because it’s the one plant I can almost keep alive.