Susan Wood has spoken for the first time about her fall down the stairs six months ago which left her with a brain injury.
And it has been revealed she will be back at work this weekend, with interviews on Sunday's Q+A, the show she fronted until the accident.
Posing for a cover shoot in this week's Woman's Day, the broadcaster said: "I know I'm lucky to be alive. I know I've been given a second chance at life, and I'm so grateful."
She added: "I've taken to giving complete strangers hugs because they gasp and are happy to see I'm alright."
There are still gaps in her memory for a six-week period around the accident and she has artificial hair on one side of her head to cover a scar. The magazine revealed a neurosurgeon had removed a chunk - 10cm by 10cm - from her skull to release the pressure.
"My hair's a bit off," she joked.
The mother-of-two has not yet ventured out at night, she told Woman's Day, but finally has her driver's licence back this month after not being allowed to drive for six months.
She has taken things slow, with trips out to lunch with friends and to the supermarket.
Wood says she always holds on to the rail now when walking down the stairs in her Auckland home.
"I used to tear up and down those stairs, but not anymore."
More details also emerged in the magazine about the night of the accident, including the fact her niece Madeleine, visiting from Dunedin, was the one to find her unconscious at the bottom of the stairs.
Wood's eldest son, Alex, 24, was out with his father Duncan Beck, while her youngest son Matthew, 22, was out with friends when they had a call from Madeleine and rushed home.
The accident happened on January 10 but was kept quiet for three weeks, to allow Wood and her sons some privacy.
After she was released from hospital in February, her sons issued a statement saying: "We thank all involved in her care at Auckland Hospital for their dedication, their expertise and their humanity.
"Their treatment of our mother was outstanding. We also appreciate the concern and goodwill shown by others."
A family source told The Diary at the time: "Susan has been making great progress, but she is a long way from being back to her normal self. She won't be leaving any time soon. It's a long, slow process and one that will take time."
The boys were undertaking duties including maintaining her household and paying bills, the source said.
"It's been really hard on the boys, but they know she will pull through. The whole family are very positive she will make a full recovery."
Wood recovered from her injuries at the ABI Rehabilitation in Ranui, west Auckland.
Her colleagues and TV stars sent messages of support.
Simon Dallow filled in for Wood on Q+A and said he "hoped to make Susan proud".