Francisco Hernandez Shares Summer Plans, Reading Picks, and More

Members of Parliament across New Zealand have shared their summer plans, and the Green Party’s Francisco Hernandez offers insights into what he intends to read, watch, and enjoy during the break. With a focus on relaxation and exploration, Hernandez looks forward to time spent in both Australia and New Zealand.

Hernandez plans to visit his parents in Brisbane, Australia, embracing a trend where many young New Zealanders travel across the Tasman Sea for the summer. He humorously notes that at age 34, he still qualifies as “young.” Among his travel ambitions are long-distance rail journeys, including a potential trip on the Great Southern route from Brisbane to Melbourne. This follows a previous adventure on the Spirit of Queensland, which took him to the Great Barrier Reef.

His itinerary also includes time in Dunedin, where he hopes to finally visit attractions he has missed since moving to the city in 2009. One such site is Larnach Castle, an iconic landmark in the region.

When it comes to culinary delights, Hernandez favors halo-halo, a popular Filipino dessert made with shaved ice, condensed milk, and various sweet toppings. He acknowledges that it might not be a winter favorite in Dunedin but insists it is ideal for summer.

For refreshment, Hernandez reveals a penchant for fruity beverages. While he acknowledges the local favorite, Speight’s, he admits that his true preference lies in drinks like mango margaritas and tequila sunsets, which he finds sufficiently sweet and refreshing for the season.

As a political figure, Hernandez has been engrossed in political biographies this year. He praises the autobiographies of notable politicians such as Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson. He particularly favors Ardern’s work for its reflective quality, while he views Robertson’s as the more politically insightful of the two.

Looking ahead to his summer reading list, Hernandez is eager to tackle Volker Ullrich’s book, Fateful Hours: The Collapse of the Weimar Republic. Though he acquired the book weeks ago, he has found its themes to be heavy and has been too busy to engage with it fully. He hopes the lighter atmosphere of summer will provide the right backdrop for this challenging read.

On the media front, Hernandez expresses nostalgia for a podcast called Raw Politics, previously hosted by Newsroom, and wishes for its return. In lieu of that, he looks forward to the second season of Juggernaut from the Spinoff, which revisits New Zealand’s economic challenges and the beginnings of the mixed-member proportional (MMP) voting system.

Music also plays a role in his summer experience. Hernandez cites Not Given Lightly by Chris Knox as his ultimate summer song for road trips. He believes the song captures the essence of summer with its themes of yearning and simplicity, making it easy to sing along during long drives.

Finally, when asked about the best swimming spots in New Zealand, Hernandez fondly recalls Kāpiti Island, where he participated in a staff planning day. He remembers the variety of activities available there, blending tramping with relaxing beach time.

As the summer break approaches, Hernandez’s mix of travel, reading, and summer indulgences promises a refreshing escape from the rigors of political life.