Ngahuia Piripi & daughter Owairea
Although they like to celebrate Mother’s Day with brunch and a manicure, Shortland Street actress Ngahuia Piripi and her girl Owairea say the most special part of the day is just being able to spend time together.
“Time matters – there is no substitute for time,” explains Ngahuia, 28, adding that she has no regrets about being a young mum, having given birth to Owairea, eight, when she was just 19.
“I like that I can keep up,” she tells. “That entails a whole lot of things, like what’s fashionable – although she may not agree!”
Rolling her eyes, Owairea insists she actually likes to dress just like her mum, which prompts Ngahuia to add that her daughter has inherited her attitude as well as her taste in style.
“I can definitely see me there when she sasses me,” the proud mum laughs, cuddling up to her girl on the couch. “But she is a better version of me. I sometimes wonder who this adult is – she is so mature for her age.”
When Ngahuia comes home from a long, hard day playing doctor Esther Samuels on Shorty, she says Owairea will be the one to make her feel better.
“She’s great,” the star smiles.
“She’ll come in and be like, ‘Do you want a massage? Is there anything I can do for you, Mum?’ She’ll help me clean my room up and will make my bed for me. She is very, very caring.”
Amanda Gillies & mother Betty
When The AM Show presenter Amanda Gillies sits down with her mum Betty at our Woman’s Day photo shoot, the chatty pair’s arms stay wrapped around each other and it’s clear they share a close bond.
“My mum is my best friend,” declares Auckland resident Amanda as she squeezes Gisborne-based Betty’s shoulders.
“We text each other or talk on the phone every day.”
A talented dancer as a child, the Three broadcaster vividly recalls her mum converting their spare room into a dance studio so she could practise.
“Sometimes she would be up all night, hand-sewing my costumes and hats,” remembers the bubbly brunette, 41.
“She’s always been a huge part of my life.”
Betty, 71, adds, “That time growing up really bonded us for life – all those long road trips to dance competitions and I would also coach her netball team too.”
While Mother’s Day is still weeks away when we catch up with the duo, Amanda has already sent out her present – a beautiful tea towel with a quote about motherhood.
“I actually had it framed and hung on the wall,” grins Betty.
Laughing, Amanda adds, “She paid hundreds of dollars to put it into a frame, but I told her she could have just hung it on the oven and it would have been fine!”
Megan Annear & mother Philippa
When The Edge’s Megan Annear failed to get into broadcasting school not once but three times, it was Philippa who stood by her. While other people told Megan she’d never make it as a woman in such a competitive industry, her mum inspired her to push on.
“She brought imagination and magic into my life,” recalls the radio star. “Even though I’m sure she would have had her down days, I never saw it as a kid. She filled the house with laughter, imagination, excitement and creativity.”
The former owner of a fairy store, Philippa, 61, still works planning children’s parties and it’s clear she’s the source of her daughter’s creative flair. Megan, 27, smiles, “I definitely would not be in my career now without her as a role model.”
For Mother’s Day, the pair will celebrate as they do every year, with a game of mini golf, a family tradition since Megan was a young girl.
With Megan having taken over Jay-Jay Feeney’s coveted morning slot on The Edge, her fans are growing rapidly, but Philippa will always be her number-one listener.
The devoted mum tells, “I love her empathy. She’s known on the radio for crying all the time, but that’s because she’s such a kind person. She takes it all to heart. I’m very, very proud every day to be her mother.”
Kate Roger & son Max
As Kate Rodger’s boy Max pretends to cut through his mum’s arm with a toy chainsaw, the Newshub entertainment editor and her gorgeous son can’t stop laughing.
The little lad was quite the surprise when he came along unexpectedly five years ago, completely turning Kate’s world upside down, but the 50-year-old wouldn’t have it any other way.
He has a lot of energy and he’s quick to laugh and smile, which I think is great,” says Kate, adding that Max has inherited her infectious giggle, as well as some of her more colourful language.
After her own mother died when Kate was in her 20s, the journalist spent decades not marking Mother’s Day, but now she jokes that she expects a facial and breakfast in bed on her special day.
Max, however, has other plans, announcing that he’ll be getting his mum flowers.
Kate with her mother Pauline, who died of cancer in 1992.
A surprised Kate reckons her fiancé, builder Tristan Alfred, must have planted the idea in his head, but Max is adamant he came up with the scheme.
Either way, Kate stresses that the most important thing on May 13 is just being together as a family.
“I like to remind Max that every day is Mother’s Day, don’t I, darling?!” she jokes, winking at Max before they both break into more giggles.
