Make the Politician Work - First Episode

Television (Full Length Episode) – 2011

In this reality television show of yesteryear, New Zealand politicians are put to work in roles that are affected by their policies. Kicking off the first episode is the larger-than-life Paula Bennett, working at the Wellington City Mission. Filmed in 2011, Bennett was the National Party's Minister of Social Development and Employment under Prime Minister John Key, so the placement is apt! She cooks in the kitchen, packs food parcels and collects donations — but shines the most in her pastoral care of customers. Not shy of hard conversations, she is praised by her supervisor for connecting with those who "don't have anyone to talk to".

It's terribly hard out there ... Can't afford to live, can't afford to die.
– A customer at the Wellington City Mission telling Paula Bennett about her situation