It’s a normal afternoon for the Smith-Coffeys. Tāmati is in Wellington, while Tim is home in Rotorua, playing sticky monsters with four-year-old Tūtānekai. The newest family member, six-month-old Taitimu, is asleep next door.
“When I first entered politics in 2017, I made a quip to Tim about having kids,” says Tāmati, who spends the week in Wellington and weekends in Rotorua. “That wish came true – we’re now a family of four.”
However, where “home” is has taken new meaning after Tāmati announced on July 30 he’s put retirement on hold and is looking to relocate to the East Coast to stand for the electorate following the departure of his friend and colleague Kiri Allen from politics.
“Since I announced my retirement in March, I’ve thrown myself into parliamentary work and it’s really enjoyable,” tells Tāmati. “Some people felt I had signed out too early, so when Kiri resigned, I talked with colleagues, and with Tim, Mum, Dad and my village of whānau, who
