For as long as broadcasting star Samantha Hayes can remember, she has tended to live her life at pace. Busy at work and busy at home, with not much space in between for contemplation or reflection.
But after coming through the most challenging 18 months of her life, with the heartbreaking separation from the father of her children, followed by the loss of her job amid the shock closure of Newshub, this Christmas will finally give her a chance to pause, take a breath and try to make sense of all that has happened.
Slowing down and switching off has never come easily for the self-confessed perfectionist, but this summer, she’s welcoming the break with open arms. “I’m very aware that some time to reset and contemplate everything that’s happened is overdue,” Sam says with characteristic restraint.
She’s been through the most challenging of times, yet she’s a picture of calm as she chats to The Weekly over croissants and coffee at the home she shares with her children, Marlow, five, and Amaya, three, on Auckland’s city fringe.
The veteran newsreader never could have foreseen the changes her life has taken and admits her resilience has been pushed to its limits, but she’s out the other side and still in one piece. Happy? Yes. Ready for a holiday? You bet.
“I still can’t quite believe how much my life has changed and, seriously, this has been an enormous year,” says Sam, who moved into her new role as ThreeNews presenter in July, the day after hosting Newshub’s final show.
“This Christmas will be particularly sweet. I’m looking forward to reading a stack of books, getting in some beach swims and trail runs, and doing a whole lot of basically nothing. Asmidge more sleep might be nice too.”
“I still can’t quite believe how much my life has chan ged.”
December 25 is still a month away when we visit Sam and her adorable children on a sunny Saturday afternoon,
