Summer off politics: Cushla Tangaere-Manuel talks hāngī and mimosas
Tuesday, 6 January 2026
The Post has talked to MPs from across Parliament about what they're looking forward to over the summer break - from Christmas meals to reading material. Today, Labour MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel tells Harriet Laughton what she's reading, watching, and listening to over the break.
What are your summer plans?
I intend to get back to Rangitukia, which I speak so fondly about in the house, but very rarely get to visit. It's going to be really good to get back not just to my own house, but to my family. Over the course of this year, several new mokopuna have been born, and I look forward to giving smooches and sniffing that yummy baby scent and letting them get to know their nanny.
What’s your go to summer meal?
Hāngī is our family’s go-to and last year, for the first time, our niece took over, my generation stepped back and it was amazing. It was a completely stress-free experience compared to how we go about it. We can be quite manic and she was calm as. My usual contribution is to bring the ham and to make the shrimp salad.
What is your summer drink of choice?
Now that I'm of a certain vintage, I do like to prepare some mimosas for the adults while we're going around prepping or watching people prep.
What’s the best book you’ve read this year?
I don't really like reading fiction. I usually like personal development books, but I did a speed reading course, and I ended up getting engrossed in one of the books. It’s called “The Necklace” by Cheryl Jarvis, and it's a true story about a group of women who co-invested in a diamond necklace, and then all of these stories and about how that item ended up going from a vanity project for them to actually a personal growth, empowering story. So they ended up using the necklace to fundraise for good causes and to support people.
Are there any podcasts or TV shows you are looking forward to listening to or watching?
A luxury politicians don’t really have is to binge stuff. And to be honest when I get home, I probably still won’t have time - I've got too many people to visit. But if I did, it would be something inspiring. I'm keen for recommendations!
Do you have an ultimate summer song for any road trips around the country?
For some reason, Black Seeds just came to my mind and yet that's not necessarily something that's high on my on my playlist, but that's what came to mind - I just imagine myself driving down State Highway 35 heading to the dirt road I live up.
What's your favourite swimming spot in New Zealand?
I grew up with the swimming hole directly down from my house, not even 100m down and now, over time - we can call it climate change or whatever - but it's changed and it's quite shallow. So now the mission is to find a hole deep enough for us to immerse ourselves in. I don't think my brother will be happy that we're going to be in his swimming hole.