Because there\u2019s no kombucha in the fridge at Pint of Order, tonight Potaka is making do with a Coke Zero. The 50-year-old has never really been much of a drinker anyway, not even during his time as a student at Victoria University in the late 90s, when he penned articles in English and te reo M\u0101ori for the student rag Salient, which was then edited by some guy called Toby Manhire. \u201cBeing in politics, keeping yourself together, and staying consistent [is key] \u2026 We\u2019ve got enough on our plates, let alone having late nights and trying to wake up the next day,\u201d Potaka reckons.<\/p>\n
The biggest thing on Potaka\u2019s plate this year is undoubtedly the general election. So far this term, Potaka is most proud of his work in the social housing space and in striking the balance between political and tribal responsibilities, which kind of ties into his New Year\u2019s resolution: \u201cBe the best M\u0101ori and New Zealander I can be.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a motto in our office, and it\u2019s one word, Lyric: believe,\u201d Potaka tells me. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter if you have to catch the late plane: just believe that you\u2019re going to make it. You\u2019ve got to stay positive on the issues, and don\u2019t get negative about the individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n
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At the end of the day, there\u2019s only one individual Potaka needs to listen to, and that\u2019s his missus, Ariana Paul. \u201cSometimes I get texts after question time, like: \u2018what are you doing with that outfit on?’\u201d If nothing else, Potaka is a wife guy; our interview gets interrupted by the minister whipping out his phone to show me photos of the couple at award shows and at home. \u201cMy mother was a stunner, too,\u201d he says. Behind every great man is an even greater woman, I remind him. \u201cRaising her eyebrows,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
This week, Potaka will be visiting the Treaty grounds on Waitangi Day alongside prime minister Christopher Luxon and other ministers. His top tips for those long, hot and crowded days?<\/p>\n
\u201cNumber one: [be with] wh\u0101nau. Number two: stay positive and respectful. Number three: be aware that there\u2019s not just one view,\u201d Potaka says. \u201cWaitangi is a phenomenal, iconic place, and [it\u2019s about] getting out and about and around to different groups \u2013 whether it\u2019s the M\u0101ori wardens or the health providers. Seeing how we actually come together in a mosaic at a place like Waitangi, we recognise that it\u2019s not just the constitutional front of the country, but the kotahi<\/a> front. If we dismiss or reject that, then we\u2019ll cast ourselves away from the past and the future.\u201d<\/p>\n THE SPINOFF PUB Q+A<\/p>\n How much should a pint cost?<\/p>\n $10.<\/p>\n Do you have a karaoke go-to?<\/p>\n I really love that song \u2018Man in the Mirror\u2019 by Michael Jackson. But I\u2019m not that great a singer, so I\u2019ll probably go for \u2018Empire State of Mind\u2019 by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. I don\u2019t know if you know, but I was in New York for three-and-a-half years as a student at Columbia University and then as an attorney.<\/p>\n Favourite place to get a drink in Aotearoa?<\/p>\n At home with my wife. She\u2019s the MVP of protein milkshakes.<\/p>\n Which three MPs would be on your pub quiz team?<\/p>\n Alive or dead? You can\u2019t go past Sir Apirana Ngata, he\u2019s a hero and a big player. Now, what\u2019s the nature of the question for this pub quiz? Because that affects the selection of the draft. I really love the breadth of thinking that whaea Judith [Collins] brings; she\u2019s all knowing, all powerful.<\/p>\n I can definitely carry some [topics] \u2026 It\u2019s like Trivial Pursuit, I was very good at sports, history and geography but I was woeful at the pink and brown tokens, which means you need Goldie in your team. It was claimed he was Ng\u0101ti Porou once.<\/p>\n Which MP from across the aisle would you most like to share a drink with?<\/p>\n