'Disgusting way to end', says Hide's wife

Jiuan Jiuan is unhappy at the way Rodney Hide ended their marriage. Photo / Bradley Ambrose

The wife of Act leader Rodney Hide has made an extraordinary outburst over her break from the high-profile politician - just days after receiving divorce papers.

Hide's wife of 23 years Jiuan Jiuan said the papers arrived "out of the blue" and it was a "disgusting way to end a marriage".

"It is very nice for him to give me divorce papers but, you know, that is not good enough for a public figure. Tell Rodney - you can't hide."

Jiuan Jiuan said the way the marriage was broken up was "not becoming" of a man of Hide's status or age.

"The way he has closed it, the way he treated me, is dishonourable."

The outburst comes three years after the couple separated and 18 months after Hide, 53, began seeing squash champion Louise Crome, 32.

Hide said last night: "It's a very upsetting time but it's also a very private thing."

Jiuan Jiuan said the separation had left her alone, without support. Her family were mainly in Singapore and Malaysia and the break came when the couple's only son was studying abroad.

"I have been through hell. I have been through the deepest, darkest hole in my life."

Jiuan Jiuan said, after 23 years together, Hide should have managed their separation better.

"He has not had courtesy for a wife who has been good to him, looking after his son, looking after his career, looking after everything, building up his career and he just walks out ...

"Now I am over it and all I want is for him to have the decency to tidy up his affairs and we can all move on.

"I think his behaviour is pretty disgusting. It is disgusting for a leader, for a public figure."

Jiuan Jiuan said she met Hide at university and they were in a relationship for several years before marrying. She had no idea their marriage was in trouble.

"Strangely enough, this experience has shown me how fundamental my thoughts about life are ... my values are traditional - family, community, loyalty, honesty, decency."

She had not met anyone new but was "sure" she would and "couldn't care less" Hide was seeing a younger woman.

Hide's future with ACT became tenuous last year after a string of bad headlines saw caucus members Sir Roger Douglas and Heather Roy mount an unsuccessful coup against him.

It followed negative publicity after he used taxpayer funding for a holiday with Crome and told a Christchurch business audience John Key "doesn't do anything".

ACT vice-president Bruce Haycock conceded a messy divorce for Hide would be distracting for the party but said his leadership was much more secure than it was last year.

"If you call every individual caucus member you'll see there has been a sea change," he said.

The Herald on Sunday did make those calls - and found partywide support.

David Garrett said: "Yes, I do completely." He then hung up.

John Boscawen and Heather Roy also offered support. Sir Roger Douglas could not be reached.

Former Act leader Richard Prebble lost his own position heading the party after a messy marriage break up.

He said: "I am sympathetic to a couple who are going through a stressful thing of a divorce because I have been through one myself. I most certainly don't think and don't believe the public thinks that has anything to do with Rodney as a MP, minister or leader of a party."

Sexologist Dr Michelle Mars had advice for both sides. She said Jiuan Jiuan should heed the words of Donald Trump's ex-wife Ivana Trump who said: "Never diss your ex-husband, darling - remember that you married him."

And she said Hide "should practise some of the grace he learned on Dancing With the Stars".

- additional reporting Matt Nippert