NELSON - As the crow flies, it is not all that far from Wellington, but Prime Minister Jenny Shipley's holiday spot at Little Kaiteriteri, near Motueka, may as well be a million miles from the bustle of the Beehive.
Mrs Shipley, husband Burton, son Ben, 20, and daughter Anna, 21, have
made their annual pilgrimage to the peaceful, golden beach, spending the best part of a week in a rented home there.
They arrived last weekend, although Mrs Shipley is away today on one of her few formal duties of the holidays - the Auckland Cup race meeting at Ellerslie.
Apart from that, politics have taken a backseat to activities high on most families' holiday agendas - barbecues, swimming and generally relaxing.
However, Wellington keeps her posted on anything that needs her attention.
"Stuff only comes to me if it's hitting the high notes," she said, adding that nothing serious had emerged so far this week.
It's also a time for reflection on the New Year. Last year, Mrs Shipley said her goal was to restore public faith in the political process.
A year on, she concedes that Parliament as a whole may not have that respect, but maintains that "the Prime Minister can't be responsible for other parties" and that her Government has been rock-solid throughout the year's turmoil.
And her resolution for 1999, with an election looming before November? "Tell them I like winning." - NZPA
Pictured: Jenny and Burton Shipley on holiday. PICTURE / NELSON MAIL
