Wendy Petrie reflects on 13 years as one of NZ's most recognised faces
''I think it's so important to have older women around in the workplace.''
It's hard to believe time has passed quite so quickly, but at the end of this year Wendy Petrie will be celebrating 13 years in her role presenting 1 News each night at 6pm.
But despite being a favourite with Kiwis Wendy says she is surprised every year when her contract comes up and she still has her job.
In this week's issue of New Zealand Woman's Weekly, Wendy (46) gets candid about the role, acknowledging that it wasn't so long ago that women who reached a certain age were not welcome in TV presenting roles, but she feels that mentality has shifted. "We can all be around for much longer than turning 50!"
"We have the #metoo movement, an awareness of pay equity and I think people are finally understanding that it is really important to have veteran, experienced women on the news," says Wendy.
Wendy points to her TVNZ colleague Hilary Barry (48) hosting Seven Sharp, and the upcoming shift at Newstalk ZB which will see Weekly columnist Kerre McIvor (53) take over from Leighton Smith's morning role, as signs that times have changed.
"I think it's so important to have older women around in the workplace and I'm so lucky that my daughters are growing up thinking they can be the Prime Minister and have a baby while they're at it, or fly a plane – anything they want!" says Wendy.
For the full candid interview with Wendy, be sure to pick up a copy of the latest issue of New Zealand Woman's Weekly, out now.
Wendy Petrie