Grill: Katherine Rich - definitely not just another blonde joke

As it's International Women's Day, ANA SAMWAYS goes in search of a female parliamentary over-achiever, and discovers the Opposition has them, too

Widely considered the prettiest MP, National's welfare spokeswoman, Katherine Rich, is also in Brash's top 10, is married to an ex-Highlander (rugby player, not Scotsman), has a bundle of delightful children and lives in the traffic-free subantarctic paradise of Dunedin. But don't hate her for being superwoman just yet.


YOU'RE PROBABLY BEST-KNOWN FOR BREASTFEEDING IN THE HOUSE.

I hope my political legacy will be more than breasts and babies!

HAS NATIONAL'S SURGE IN THE POPULARITY CONTEST UPPED MORALE?

Sure, but it hasn't bred complacency. We've got lots to do to win an election.

DO YOU SIDE WITH YOUR LEADER ON THE BANALITY OF THE CURRENT MINISTRY OF WOMEN'S AFFAIRS?

The ministry was launched with huge expectation. If you surveyed women in the street and asked what the ministry had said or done lately I doubt they'd be able to tell you one thing.

I know I can't think of one.

DO YOU AGREE WITH IT IN PRINCIPLE?

I don't like the idea of women's issues being ghettoised. Many women's issues deserve greater attention but it's up to all MPs.

WHAT IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FACING NEW ZEALAND WOMEN?

Complacency. Many women think that the battle for equality is won. It isn't. How could I forget childcare costs?

WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND IN PARLIAMENT?

Pat Humphries, my secretary. She's a wild Irish woman who knows more about politics than most MPs.

YOU WORK FULL-TIME AND HAVE FOUR YOUNG CHILDREN. HOW DO YOU JUGGLE EVERYTHING?

I don't. Sometimes I have to make tough choices about what I can and can't do. I'm probably the only MP who hasn't been out of the country on parliamentary business.

WHO LOOKS AFTER YOUR PRE-SCHOOLERS WHILE YOU ARE AT WORK?

My husband, my Mum and last month after my husband had an operation, a nanny.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOURSELF SANE?

I always read before I sleep. Just finished Alexander McCall Smith's books. Watching old episodes of The Office can also lighten a bad day.

I AM A LEFT-LEANING, ATHEIST, HUMANITARIAN. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN SIMILAR TERMS.

I am a centre-right, lapsed Anglican, community worker.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED OUT LOUD?

Five minutes ago when a guy dropped off a country and western song written in my honour called True Blue Katherine.

AND CRIED?

At a funeral of a dear friend of mine who died of breast cancer.

TELL ME THREE LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF.

I've been an Elvis fan since I was 6; I once cleaned gravestones for a living; I got a B at university for Maori studies.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE DUNEDIN CITY COUNCIL'S PUSH TO ATTRACT AUCKLANDERS?

Seems to be working. A traffic jam to us is being held up for 5 minutes. Remember, Dunedin has a lot to offer.

BUT IT'S SO COLD ...



BIO: Age: 36. Married to Andrew Rich. Children: Jonathan (2 1/2), Georgia (1 1/2), stepchildren Dan 13 and Emma 10. Favourite music: The Chills, Don McGlashan's entire career, Sarah McLachlan, and The King. Favourite films: Raising Arizona, King Creole. Education: Otago University, BA/BCom.