Will’s Word: Living in the moment in 2025

We've come towards the end of the final show for the final year, so naturally I'm in an introspective and reflective mood, because 2025 has been one hell of a year.

I'm not going to sit here and pretend my life is perfect, it is not. If anything, this year has reminded me just how messy and uncertain life can really be. There’s this idea people seem to have about me because of how I carry myself.

How I speak, the mahi I do, that I have things figured out, that I'm composed, calculated, confident. That could not be further from the truth. If you watch closely, you'll remember I left PMN earlier this year for a job in Australia, only to come back weeks later in what can only be described as a very public u-turn.

I know it raised a few eyebrows, and I'm sure it inevitably sparked some commentary in the industry, and it probably confirmed a few people's worst assumptions. But you know what? I do not regret it. Every decision I made this year was made honestly, even when it was uncomfortable.

Especially when it was uncomfortable, actually. This year has been about lessons, growth, shedding old versions of myself that no longer fit. Ultimately about learning slowly and how to live in the moment.

If I had to boil 2025 down to one thing, it was the year I finally learned how to have fun. Proper fun. For a long time people have known me as serious, political and intense. The truth is I hate conflict. I hate being the loudest in the room. I actually hate wearing a suit.

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Outside of my job, I would much rather fade into the background than dominate a space. And you know what? This year I stopped pretending otherwise. Somewhere along the way I cracked open a version of myself I didn't even know was there.

A version that dances badly, stays out too late, says yes more often, and doesn't need everything to mean something. I fell in love with raves, music festivals and loud music. A huge chunk of my weekends this year were spent out in the live music and dance scene.

Letting go of serious political chat, although there were moments in mosh pits where I would scream “economic growth”, which would raise a few eyebrows. Those moments mattered more than I expected.

I fell in love with raves, music festivals and loud music. A huge chunk of my weekends this year were spent out in the live music and dance scene. Photo/Unsplash

To the ones this year who welcomed me into their lives without judgement. Who shared their couches, kitchens, late night yarns. Who tolerated my terrible dancing and my poorly timed adventures. I spent countless weekends dancing into the early hours, having deep conversations in sitting rooms, chasing experiences.

It was fun. For the first time in a long time I didn't feel like I was sprinting toward the next milestone, I'm just in the moment. Next year I know will be different and election year always is. I'll be sharper, more focused, more locked in, that part of me hasn't gone anywhere.

But I'm also taking this version of me this year with me. Balance. I want to be the person next year who still knows how to enjoy the moment. The person who can go from interviewing senior political leaders to jumping into a mosh pit that same very day.

Balance. Photo/Unsplash

Because life is short and life is for living. That is my 2025 summed up. I hope you have a wonderful, safe Christmas and New Year. Please take care of yourself and your whānau, and I'll catch you next year.

On the show that informs, educates and entertains, that is Pacific Mornings with myself, William Terite and Producer Levi Matautia-Morgan for the year. Have a lovely year and I'll catch you in election year!