Monty Adams
Renee Wright has been crazy about Christmas ever since she was a child, but now she’s a mum to four little elves herself, the festive season feels more magical than ever.
Seeing the excitement and joy on the faces of Leonardo, 12, Giselle, 10, Arabella, seven, and 17-month-old Lucciana is what this time of year is all about, says the TVNZ weather presenter.
And as she welcomes Woman’s Day into the home she shares with husband Charlie Waide on Auckland’s North Shore, it’s clear that Christmas has well and truly arrived, with the broadcaster’s beachside sanctuary stunningly transformed into a shimmering, shining wonderland.
Not one but three lavishly decorated trees adorn the house, life-sized reindeer twinkle with fairy lights and visitors are met in the hall by a charming miniature Christmas village overseen by two ornamental Santas.
“There’s no such thing as too many Christmas decorations,” laughs Renee, 42. “I just love it when the house is illuminated. We don’t bother turning any lights on at night because we have so many fairy lights twinkling away everywhere.
Making the season magical for Lucciana: “She is such a delight!”
“And I swear the kids love all this just as much as I do – they even have a miniature tree each in their bedrooms. Charlie pretends he’s not so into it, but he was there hanging up baubles with Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé blaring in the background. He secretly loves it!”
Renee’s fondness for all things festive began in childhood, with her parents Marian and Warren instilling beautiful traditions.
“Mum always puts so much effort into making Christmas special and I like to think I’m continuing that for my own children. I remember how exciting it felt when it was time to get out the decorations and put up the tree each year. All the sights, smells and tastes of Christmas, even little things like doing the Christmas baking together – that’s what memories are made of.”
Renee tells us that on Christmas Eve, the children pull on their matching PJs and have an early dinner, before cuddling up to watch a holiday film with popcorn, hot chocolates and treats.
Family traditions – baking with gran Marian and a festive pyjama party.
Before bed, they write thank-you notes for Santa, then leave out ginger beer and biscuits, as well as carrots for the reindeer, of course. She admits that while the older children might be starting to ask probing questions around certain traditions, her motto has always been, “If you believe, you receive.”
Smiling, she says, “That approach seems to do the trick!”
A new tradition that Leo, Gigi and Arabella have created is a Christmas Eve sleepover, with the kids all piling into one room the night before the big day.
“I’m not sure how it started, but it’s quite lovely that they want to share that excitement with each other. They all wake at an ungodly hour to tear into their presents.”
Renee and Charlie will host both sides of the family on 25 December, with about 15 people expected around the table for a long festive lunch. The feast usually involves turkey sausage rolls with cranberry sauce, a roast turkey, roast pork, lots of fresh salads and some seafood, like whitebait fritters, crayfish and salmon.
Our TV golden girl can’t get enough of the Christmas sparkle. “I swear the kids love all of this as much as I do!”
For dessert, Charlie’s mum Sandy brings her famous cheesecake, which is served alongside plenty of fruit, chocolate-dipped strawberries and Renee’s mum’s chocolate log. Afterwards, some might have a snooze, while others will head to the beach across the road for a dip, play backyard cricket or jump into the family’s pool.
“It’s always a very relaxed afternoon,” says Renee.
While she has a tendency to go overboard on Christmas shopping, the broadcaster is determined to help her children understand just how fortunate they are. Each year, she encourages them to donate toys and books to Women’s Refuge and other charities.
“People are really struggling at the moment,” she explains. “It’s important my kids understand they are privileged and with that comes a responsibility to help others. Thinking of others is a big part of Christmas and I really hope it’s something they grow to understand.”
As she looks back on the year that’s been, Renee still has to pinch herself when she thinks about little Lucciana, her adorable toddler, who was born in June last year. The couple hadn’t exactly planned to have four children, but there’s no doubt Lucciana has brought nothing but joy.
“She is such a delight,” smiles Renee, who suffered a devastating miscarriage in 2021. “She’s just cruising around, living her best life. She has three doting admirers who carry her around, entertain her and cuddle her.
“She’s incredibly loving – if someone is sitting minding their own business, she’ll walk up and plant a big kiss on them. It’s very sweet.”
And as the youngest of four, Lucciana is growing up faster than Renee’s others seemed to. She has lots of words, the latest being, “Oh, wow!”
The doting mum with (from left) Arabella, Leo, Gigi and Lucciana.
While she is back presenting the weekend weather on 1News, as well as voicing TVNZ promos, Renee says this chapter of her life is very much focused on her children. Every day is a whirl of school drop-offs and pick-ups, sports practice, kapa haka, choir performances, music rehearsals, ballet lessons and everything in between.
“My kids are joiners – they like being involved in everything possible,” shares Renee. “It’s great. I’m glad they’re like that, but it definitely makes for a very busy life. I’m constantly driving them places, so Lucciana has just had to fit in and go with the flow.”
Renee is the first to admit it takes a village to raise her family and her parents are an integral part of this. They visit most days, even taking over the reins when Renee and Charlie, who owns a construction company, went to France for the Rugby World Cup final in October.
With Charlie at the Rugby World Cup in Paris.
It was an incredible trip and Renee is keenly aware how lucky she is to have such supportive parents. “I can’t imagine how I’d manage if I didn’t have such amazing support. My parents have really special relationships with all the children and I’m so grateful for that.”
And this Christmas, when she sits at the table surrounded by the people she loves, there’s no doubt Renee will raise a toast and give thanks.
“That is the biggest gift I could hope for – that my family is happy and healthy, and that we all have each other. I feel so blessed.”
