Ria Hall is an award-winning musician, a devoted solo mum student and a university and amid all the chaos, she has just announced she's also running to be the mayor of Tauranga.
There's a lot on her plate and after the kids are asleep, she's often still working at 11pm, yet having twice fought back from perinatal depression after having three babies in less than three years, the singer is certain she has what it takes to do it all.
"Everything I do evolves with and around my children," Ria, 41, tells Woman's Day. "Being a māmā is the core of why I'm so driven and incredibly ambitious to make a difference. I want to enable and empower a society that is open, connected and inclusive because I want my babies to experience that style of unity."
The youngest of four, growing up in Tauranga, Ria says even as a child she was passionate about social change.
"My family are working class and not highly educated, but I really wanted to flip the script," tells Ria, who has had chart hits with Stan Walker, Tiki Taane and Troy Kingi. "It doesn't matter if it wasn't modelled to you - what matters is your character and values are authentic. Times were a lot different in the '80s, but I always knew I had a specific drive within me, a certain style of fire, from a very young age."
Ria has a deep aroha for her hometown and says it wasn't a surprise to any of her loved ones when she announced her mayoral candidacy in early May.
"It has always been burning in the back corners of my ngākau [heart] and has been a matter of when, not if. There needs to be a change in leadership, a new direction taken in order to achieve the outcomes we need for an ever-expanding, multicultural, amazing city. I believe I'm the right person."
Bu hikaye Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand dergisinin May 04, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand dergisinin May 04, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
THE BACHELORETTE'S LESINA THE SHOW HELPED ME FIND LOVE'
The reality star's magical weekend reveals she's finally found her prince
SHILOH JO LIE TELLS ALL! 'THE TRUTH ABOUT MY MUM & DAD'
Ange and Brad's daughter is ready to spill about their split
KIWI ACTRESS DEB'S CINEMATIC WEDDING
The star's romantic big day played out just like a film!
LIFE-SAVING LOVERS!
Yasmin and Guilherme said 'I do' while donating blood and plasma
KRYSTLE'S MEDICAL CRISIS 'LEGO SAVED MY LIFE!'
To pay for her surgery, the star had to make the ultimate sacrifice
BRAVE JEN CONFESSES 'NICOLE SAVED ME'
Their close friendship got Jen through a particularly tough time
MANU'S EMOTIONAL REUNION WITH HIS DAD!
Raised by a single mum, he needed to complete the family recipe
Fast + fresh THAI
Fire up your wok for these family favourites
JODIE & JAMES OUR PARENTS ARE DATING!
The comedian found his mother the perfect bloke on his show James Must-A-Pic His Mum A Man
PROUD MUM RACHEL 'I CRIED TEARS OF HAPPINESS
Her son Liam's wedding was a huge, fun-filled family affair