"I don't even remember Paula's mix," Peters chortled. "It was so unremarkable and so outdated, I think people turned the sound down. Mine was a serious collation of decent artists."
Music for the party was by invitation of Press Gallery chairwoman Claire Trevett. Labour's Jacinda Ardern, who occasionally moonlights as a part-time DJ and is also dating one, supplied her Laneway CD. Greens MP Jan Logie supplied something. But Bennett's 80s rock and Peters' nostalgia tape - which included Kenny Roger's The Gambler, naturally, - were the biggest hits. Marama Fox pulled out her guitar for an impromptu musical performance at one point.
TV3's Paddy Gower and RadioLive's Lloyd Burr manned the barbecue. Bennett stopped for a piccie. "I thought it was appropriate that the press boys were cooking and I was drinking," she laughed.
John Key left at a respectable hour: 10:20pm. Among the last MPs to leave were Chris Hipkins (Chippie), David Shearer, and Police Minister Michael Woodhouse around 3am.
Noticeably absent were Jason Ede and Cameron Slater.
I'm told Gerry Brownlee was doing what he does best: telling people off.
"It was a seriously well-behaved party this year," Peters said flabbergasted. The vibe was considerably quieter than usual.
"It's been a big year," said one politician who didn't want to be identified. "We're over it. Never have we wanted a break more than we do now."
The party was strictly invitation only. The number of begging emails to gallery members for an invitation was a bit horrifying - mainly PR people, I'm told.
Labour holds a traditional morning-after barbecue brunch on the lawn at the back of Parliament, and David Shearer was there on onion-cooking duty yesterday, which is quite a miracle given how much he was enjoying himself on the dance floor.
Apparently, talk quickly turned to who among the Labour MPs had been invited to Trevor Mallard's wedding to Jane Clifton on December 29. Some have been invited to the nuptials in Wainuiomata at 2pm, and others just the party at 4pm. Safe to say, David Cunliffe missed both cuts.
No Auckland Nines for Heidi
Supermodel Heidi Klum will not be attending the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines next month as a guest of her new Bendon boss Eric Watson and his Warriors club.
Nonetheless, the Eden Park tournament, on January 31 and February 1, will have more than its fair share of league stars.
The 16 clubs launched their tournament jerseys yesterday in Sydney. On hand were league stars Isaac Luke (Rabbitohs), James Maloney (Roosters), Josh Dugan (Dragons) and Brett Morris (Bulldogs). Johnathan Thurston, the hottest player in the NRL, has demonstrated his desire to take to the field in Auckland, as have Luke and Kieran Foran.
All eyes on the sideline ...
Kiwi baritone opera star Teddy Tahu Rhodes, who now calls Australia home, will headline tonight's Christmas concert with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell. But will his girlfriend, Aussie TV and stage star Lisa McCune, be cheering from the sideline?
Teddy Tahu Rhodes. Photo / Supplied
The relationship has been popular fodder for the Aussie press, with pics splashed across the pages of the women's magazines of the lovebirds canoodling in public two years ago - both while married to other people.
This year, the pair - who starred together in the musical production of The King and I - endured another controversy. An explicit sex tape surfaced of Rhodes with an unidentified brunette woman (believed to have been filmed some time ago). The media went into a frenzy. McCune (best known for her roles in Blue Heelers and Sea Patrol) dismissed the tape as "baloney" and both steered clear of talking about their private lives.
Kiwi friends say Rhodes, who hails from Christchurch, resents media intrusion into his private affairs and prefers solitude.
"He goes to ground. Even while he's been in Auckland this week preparing for his concerts, Teddy has avoided catching up with old mates," said a pal.
APO reps shut down any mention of Rhodes' love life and refused to divulge if mother-of-three McCune had accompanied her opera star partner.
Dan the man for shopping tips
Picture / Jason Oxenham
The Kan family had some extra support for their grocery shop yesterday.
All Black Daniel Carter accompanied the Aucklanders around Wairau Rd Pak'nSave supermarket.
The first five, who is a brand ambassador for Healtheries, was visiting the supermarket as part of a promotion.
Vivian Kan enjoyed chatting to the player, who also helped the family - including her husband Christopher and 4-year-old Caleb - to navigate the aisles.
Brunch with pollies
Tune in tomorrow to TV3's
The Nation
for the year's final episode which will see Patrick Gower and Lisa Owen and a gaggle of politicians chow down over brunch and put the year's bickering behind them. Executive producer Tim Watkin told
The Diary
up to 60 pollies will be in attendance, from David Seymour to Hone Harawira, who is coming down from Northland. Colin Craig and Jamie Whyte will make an appearance from political oblivion, but not so Kim Dotcom, who has declined the invite. So have many Nats, who are apparently in need of a bit of a rest and a lie-down. It's been a busy year. Just as well, really. Darren Watson will play his satirical election song,
Planet Key.
