Rodney Hide tries out his new gnashers. Photo / Herald on Sunday
Rodney Hide is one politician who's prepared to put his money where his mouth is.
Since his show-stopping escapades on Dancing with the Stars, where he cavorted around the dancefloor in Lycra and sequins, the MP - once dubbed "Rhino" for his 130kg frame - has undergone a
makeover of extreme proportions, losing close to 30kg.
Now he's has got that winning smile to match - but it's taken a bite out of his wallet.
After years of putting up with problem teeth, the Act MP is finally "all white now" after forking out around $20,000 on cosmetic dentistry to repair his decaying fillings and chipped and discoloured teeth.
The makeover is the latest in a procession of life changes for 51-year-old Hide, once regarded as one of Parliament's most pugnacious MPs for his perk-busting escapades.
As Hide explains, it was literally a case of reality bites.
He was sick to his back teeth of the massive abscess that was slowly poisoning his bloodstream and knew he had to act fast. "I felt lethargic, had no energy. It was really making me feel unwell," he says.
Like most Kiwis, Hide wasn't a fan of the dentist's chair but decided he should grin and bear it and consult cosmetic dentist Heidi Sauer.
Rather than continue with $1000 patch-up jobs, her advice was to get all his cavities fixed at once - and get a perfect set of pearly whites while he was at it.
Over three days Hide got half a dozen crowns, plus all his problem fillings replaced.
"Amazingly, the biggest change has been my health. I feel healthier and more energetic and I enjoy smiling more.
"I didn't do this lightly because it is such a lot and I don't have the Spencer Trust or Owen Glenn helping me. Yes, it's been well worth it. I've never felt better."
Over the past month, Hide and New Zealand First leader Peters have been at each other's throats, with claims and counter-claims over the secretive Spencer Trust, Glenn's $100,000 donation to NZ First and allegations party donations were not declared as they should be under parliamentary rules.
And as Hide says, this time round it was Peters' mouth that got him into bother.
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