Behind the professional persona of every politician is a down to earth normal person – one of us.
Paul Goldsmith, National List MP based in Epsom, is no different. The youngest of three siblings, born in Tāmaki Makaurau, his happiest memories go back to his quintessential Kiwi summers spent in the Coromandel.
“We used to go out to Whangamata in the caravan to the little camping ground there – they were magic times really.”
Growing up in a supportive family where he says “education was valued”, Paul’s father taught maths at Auckland Grammar, his mum was a nurse. “I’ve been pretty lucky in many respects,” he says.
“I certainly never thought of politics. My older brother studied medicine and my sister did law. I felt obliged to try something different. My family thought I might get into business.”
Yet his segue into government was not your typical political trajectory.
Originally, the second dan black belt and passionate history buff thought he’d end up in academia. “One of the early papers I did at university was on the Aztecs, the Mayans and the history of South America – I loved it all,” he says.
Fate had other ideas.
For the next decade, through his connections within the old business round table, Paul became an established author writing 13 biographical books centred on New Zealand business history.
The best part he says “was at the end of year when you had a book to show for your efforts”.
His first book in the mid 1990s was on John Banks. In a “roundabout way” it got him involved in politics, he believes.
“As a young man I’d only known a university setting for a long time – then I encountered Banksy who was inspirational, very commercial and very upbeat. I found that a breath of fresh air.”
The Banks book led to a stint working for Simon Upton, who was a National cabinet minister at the time. Upton’s portfolios of Environment and Associate Foreign Affairs sparked an immediate interest for Paul.
That led to strategically swapping roles for the opposite party to support newly – foreign affairs minister, Phil Goff in the Labour Government.
“I had an enjoyable year with Phil before being offered a job in foreign affairs but chose in the end to join the private sector to do public relations before having a crack at writing books full time.”
But the pull of politics was too hard to resist. It was however, a struggle getting in. “I didn’t just waltz in the door,” he says.
“I had quite a few failed attempts at first but once I got into parliament, things were pretty good.”
His intention was “to be a senior cabinet minister in a Government that makes a difference to the lives of New Zealanders in a positive way”.
That goal was ticked when National held power. Paul acknowledges the “privilege” of it all.
These days while spokesperson for the portfolios of Economic Development, Revenue and Associate Arts and Culture, he’s experiencing the contrast of sitting on the opposition front bench.
“It’s highly frustrating yet interesting at the same time – it calls on a different set of skill. It gives us some time for reflection about the things that we can do differently.”
He adds, “One of the things I’ve learnt over the years is the shorter the speech, the better.”
Outside of the Beehive, Paul can be often spotted walking his cavoodle pup. “The view from Mt Hobson over the city is just magnificent,” he says. “We love it around there.”
Always the diplomat he doesn’t list all his favourite Eastern suburb cafés, then mentions The Local in Remuera, “a good little spot – I take my kids to Burger Burger too”.
Combining the roles of husband, Dad and politician “brings a few challenges with the busy work” he admits. He and his wife of 23 years, Melissa, have four children aged 8, 11, 14 and 17 that attend four different schools in the Epsom electorate.
As for parenting, Paul says watching his children’s lives unfold is like reading the most interesting novel. “You cannot wait to turn the page every day to see what happens next,” he says.
In fact his biggest learning from being a dad has been centred on aroha.
“After our first child I couldn’t imagine when the second came along that you could ever feel the same. The feelings you have are so strong. You think how can you replicate this but love is infinite – it just keeps growing and growing,” he says.
When asked about what legacy he wishes to leave behind, other than his “wonderful kids”, Paul quietly reflects.
Then he recalls the words of poet, James K Baxter: “These unshaped islands, on the sawyer’s bench, wait for the chisel of the mind.” Bill English mentioned them in his leaving speech at parliament.
They capture how he feels nicely. “We all want to make a contribution to a young country that’s still being created and crafted – take a turn at the chisel.”
As he talks it is clear that making a constructive contribution, improving living standards and improving what is special about New Zealand is his prime focus.
“I think of it in terms of our neighbourhood and the wonderful environment which I see every day at the top of Mt Hobson. I’m determined to do what I can do to maintain that – even enhance it,” he says.
Words: Sarah Sparks
