Family

National party leader Simon Bridges introduces his newborn daughter

It's been a whirlwind few months for the new National Party leader, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

After welcoming his third child and then this week being named leader of the National Party, it’s safe to say it’s been a massive few months for Simon Bridges.

And this week, the long-serving politician introduces Woman’s Day to his beautiful whanau, including gorgeous newborn daughter Jemima, in an exclusive at-home shoot at the family’s home in Tauranga.

In an intimate chat, Simon also reveals how he’d known his British-born wife Natalie, who he met while studying at the University of Oxford, for less than 12 months when they tied the knot in 2005.

Simon and his wife Natalie married after knowing each other for less than 12 months.

In fact, their romance was such a whirlwind, they struggled to find a minister who’d agree to perform the marriage. Natalie tells Woman’s Day, “We went to a number of vicars to do it, but they fobbed us off.”

Simon, whose father was a Baptist minister, adds, “No-one thought it would work. Most people thought it was ridiculous. Even my parents didn’t like the idea.”

Undeterred, the pair wed anyway and relocated to New Zealand a week after their final exams.

For their full love story, Simon’s sweet family sacrifice and all the gorgeous pictures, see the latest issue of Woman’s Day.

Related stories