“You know, I can probably say, hand on heart, that I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life,” he says, turning and grinning at partner Jacob Nutt, 34. “I’m having a lot of fun exploring that life with Jake – and even though I’ve made the move to Australia, nothing about that is going to change!”
Having landed the coveted role of Australia correspondent, Aziz, 33, is living on cloud nine as he settles into life and making a new home in Sydney – without his partner of two years and their beloved cat Whitney. It means a stint of long distance is in order for the couple, who are still in the process of trying to buy their first home in Auckland, but they’re not fazed at the impending separation.
Says lawyer Jake, “The firm I work for has an office in Sydney, which is great, so I can pop over when I can and do a couple of weeks. The plan is for both of us to do a bit of both.”
Jake is already planning trips over the ditch to see Aziz.
The big plan, Aziz tells, is for lots of video chats while they settle into their new normal. “I’ve said we have to have at least two or three Zoom dinners or movies a week – and Whitney will stay here for at least the next six months, so I’ll need some virtual cuddling time with her too. Oh, and with Jake as well!” While the pair – who fittingly met on Valentine’s Day in 2021 – definitely didn’t plan to be living apart so early in their relationship, the opportunity for Aziz to become TVNZ’s Australia correspondent was too good to pass up.
“When I got this role, I had one of those moments where you realise you are absolutely doing what you’re meant to be doing in life,” tells Aziz. “I’ve always prided myself on telling people’s stories and connecting with audiences, but I’m really proud to be able to do that as the rainbow warrior that I am, the refugee that I am.
“All these things matter in this day and age. And when I got the job, my dreams came true and I had my faith restored in humanity a little bit.” The dream gig caps off the latest chapter in Aziz’s storied journalism career, following his departure from Three at the start of 2022, after an overhaul of The AM Show’s entire presenting line-up. “Where I am in my life now is such a stark difference,” reflects Aziz. “Now it’s like, ‘Woah, I’m actually getting things right.’
The couple has a plan to make long-distance work for them.
“I have the most incredible human you could ever ask for. Since the moment I met him, I knew he was the one. I always got told, ‘Once you know, you know,’ and now I know! I’ll never quite be able to articulate that feeling.” Extroverted Aziz and more reserved Jake do a great job of balancing each other out – and, as Aziz says, Jake’s analytical skills have actually come in handy when it comes to news presenting! “He’s the best sub-editor you could ask for,” Aziz tells as Jake laughingly adds, “Contracts and small details are my thing!”
Throughout Auckland’s various lockdowns, Jake even stood in as cameraman for Aziz – and he’s seen first-hand how wild and how public his partner’s job can be. “There were some crazy moments!” he laughs. “But honestly, most of the time I just had this weird urge to stick my hand in front of the camera when it was recording!”
Jake will stay home in Auckland with fluff ball Whitney.
And even though this is the dream gig – the one Aziz always coveted in the various newsrooms he’s worked for – there is a small amount of sadness at the reality of being away from his tribe, including his beloved mum Sabah, whom he first came to New Zealand from Kuwait with when he was a baby. “She cried when I told her and I know those tears come from a place of love,” tells Aziz. “When I achieve, it’s my mum’s achievement too. This was one of those moments where I think she realised that coming to New Zealand and going through all the sacrifice was so worth it.
“I’m so close to my mum. I have her to thank for all this! She’s so incredibly proud and happy for me – she knows how much it means to me. There was never any shadow of a doubt that I’d apply for this role, but when I got it, it meant some pretty real conversations with my loved ones in Auckland and Christchurch, who I knew I would miss so much. “Luckily, Australia isn’t that far away!”
