Photography: Bernadette Peters
With a new baby, an energetic toddler and a full-time return to radio, Polly “PJ” Harding could be forgiven for feeling a little stretched right now. But as she joins her The Hits co-host and best friend Matty McLean for a photoshoot at her home in Masterton to celebrate their on-air reunion, she can only laugh at the happy chaos surrounding her.
With her six-month-old daughter Frankie perched on her hip and three-year-old Charlie tugging at her leg for a snack, PJ says life as a mum of two is everything she imagined – exhausting, intense, hilarious and fulfilling.
And as the 35-year-old broadcaster heads back to host The Hits Drive alongside Matty, 39, she admits she’s incredibly lucky to have the best of both worlds.
“Going back to work after maternity leave is an emotional rollercoaster, but I really do feel ready,” shares PJ, who lives on a Wairarapa farm with husband Brendan “BJ” Campbell and their two adorable kids.
“There’s a magnetism to doing this job. Radio gets in your blood and it just feels like home when I come back.”
Settling into family life
PJ welcomed her little girl in April and for the past six months, she’s been hunkered down at their Masterton home, enjoying life as a family of four. Frankie has been a dream baby and her big brother Charlie, who turned three in August, has embraced his little sister’s arrival.
“He adores her,” declares PJ, admitting she was a little nervous about how Charlie would adjust to another family member.
“I was worried because he can be a bit of a brute. He’s strong and full of beans, but he’s been so cute with her. “He’s actually totally in love with her. Every morning when he wakes up, they just smile, cackle and laugh at each other. It’s just so beautiful to watch.”
From rugby match to maternity ward
PJ can’t help but grin as she recounts Frankie’s unforgettable birth. The broadcaster was watching a match with BJ at their local rugby club when her waters broke. Cue a mad dash to the hospital with little Frankie being born moments after arriving.
“I came very close to giving birth on the side of the road!” recalls PJ.
Three hours later, she was back home, tucked up in her own bed with her beautiful, healthy baby girl.
“I just wanted to get home to Charlie,” tells PJ, who had an emergency C-section with her son.
“I still can’t believe how much I enjoyed the birth and how lovely that post-partum period was. Compared to the first time, it all felt much calmer, with none of that second guessing you have with your first baby.”
Back to the grind
But now it’s time to return to work, with PJ broadcasting from a studio in Masterton while Matty works out of The Hits studio in Auckland. Coordinating the family logistics with an extra little one in tow is no mean feat, but PJ says she’s fortunate to have a supportive village to call on.
It takes a village
Charlie goes to a local preschool, Frankie’s in a nanny share a few afternoons a week and PJ’s beloved mum Angela, who moved to Wairarapa from Christchurch in the past year, is on hand for back-up when she and BJ need it.
“We’re so grateful she’s here, because it’s full on with two little ones!” notes PJ.
“I know it’ll be a rollercoaster – some weeks will be great and others will be a shit show. But this is no different to what pretty much every other parent around New Zealand is dealing with. It’s the reality of working and having kids. We just have to embrace the chaos.”
A new chapter for Matty and Ryan
And PJ isn’t the only one navigating a big life change. Matty and his real estate agent husband Ryan Teece have sold up in the city and bought a lifestyle block on the outskirts of Auckland, where they’re moving in a few weeks. It’s a big step for city slicker Matty, who happily admits horse-mad Ryan will be leading the charge as they adapt to rural life.
“Ryan grew up in the country and this has been his dream for as long as I’ve known him,” reflects Matty.
“I genuinely don’t have a clue what I’m doing when it comes to farm stuff, but I’m excited – it’s going to be a very fun adventure.”
Looking ahead
And with his 40th birthday approaching next year, Matty admits he’s been taking stock of where he is in life and what he wants for the future. Becoming a dad is high on his wish list.
“I love kids, and Ryan and I would love our own family one day,” reveals Matty, who admits he’s been inspired by other same-sex couples becoming parents, including his Out The Gayte podcast co-host Chris Henry, who’s begun the surrogacy process.
Fatherhood on the horizon
Tells Matty, “Every time I see it happen to someone I know, it’s a nice reminder that even though it’s not without its challenges, it’s very much a possibility these days and that feels so exciting. I’ve got
to a point where I think, ‘Man, I’m turning 40 next year. What do I want the next chapter of my life to look like?’ “I’ve got so much great stuff going on, I’ve got work nailed and Ryan is amazing, so what’s the big thing? We’re at that point now where we’re definitely thinking about it, and talking about how and when we can make it happen.”
A natural with kids
As he jiggles little Charlie on his lap while PJ has her hair and makeup done, it’s clear Matty is a natural – and his co-host has no doubts he’ll be an amazing dad one day.
“He has such a good connection with kids,” notes PJ.
“Charlie adores him – he’s always so excited to see him when he comes down to visit.”
Being on radio with Matty, whom she counts as one of her closest friends, never feels like work for PJ and she insists any nerves she had about returning to air quickly melted away in their first show back.
“We just get on so well,” she smiles.
“We trust each other implicitly, which is so important for radio.”
PJ’s grateful to former The Bachelor NZ star Matilda Green for covering her maternity leave but jokes that at times it felt like her “work husband” had taken up with someone new.
PJ laughs, “I messaged Matty a few times to say, ‘Remember your vows!’ Honestly, Matilda did such a great job. She said she’d keep the seat warm for me, but she kept it warm and burned a bloody big hole in it – she was that good!”
While PJ was thrilled for the show’s success, she made a conscious decision not to tune into it regularly.
Life off the air
“It’s a funny thing being on live radio,” she muses.
“It would be so easy to start comparing yourself. I didn’t want to go down that route. I wanted to give them space, and focus on my kids and my life here. Occasionally I’d jump in the car and listen in, but oh, my gosh, they were so good! I was just stoked for them.”
Holding down the fort
Matty says his and Matilda’s mission while PJ was on leave was simple – to keep the show humming until she was ready to return.
“We didn’t want to burn the house down while PJ was away,” he laughs.
“We just wanted her to enjoy that precious time with the kids, knowing the show was in safe hands.”
Now reunited, the duo is full of energy and ideas for what’s ahead. With his big birthday looming, Matty’s even put together a “things to do before 40” list, with the first item already ticked off – getting a tattoo from Lose Control singer Teddy Swims, who inked a little bear on Matty’s arm ahead of his sold-out Auckland show.
A tattoo to remeber
“It was genuinely a once- in-a-lifetime experience,” tells the former Breakfast host and Celebrity Treasure Island winner.
“To say my first-ever tattoo was given to me by one of the world’s biggest popstars is pretty surreal! It was nice having PJ there to both shave me in preparation and to hold my hand while it was getting done!”
Support in every step
Each other’s biggest supporters, the stars are both grateful to be back doing what they love most, bringing laughter, hope and connection to their listeners.
“It’s not lost on us what a privilege it is to bring a bit of sunshine into people’s days,” enthuses Matty.
PJ adds, “I love the fact that our sole purpose is just to put a smile on people’s faces, especially when the world feels so tough right now. Everyone needs a lift.”
Listen to Matty and PJ on The Hits Drive from 3pm weekdays.
