News | Entertainment
16 Feb 2026 2:46
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Jamie Oliver wants his children to "struggle as much as possible"

    The 49-year-old chef - who has Poppy, 22, Daisy, 21, Petal, 15, Buddy, 13, and seven-year-old River with wife Jools - has spoken about his difficulties with ADHD and dyslexia but he believes it is important to face challenges throughout life.


    He told Psychologies magazine: "Confidence, worry and anxiety are all part of a cauldron of emotions that challenge us.

    "When you're young, they can present themselves as things that hold you back.

    "But, as you get older, [they provide] a tension that makes you do your best work.

    "Life's not supposed to be linear or easy. I want my kids to struggle as much as possible, in a safe and controlled way. If it's too easy, it's really vanilla."

    Jamie has raised his kids to look at life with a positive attitude.

    He explained: "Even today, I say to my girls, you have to brush your teeth, look in the mirror, and decide it's going to be a positive day - decide to be glass half-full.

    "And I know it's easier said than done. But if you try, it's about being glass half-full most of the time and hopefully having friends around you that will catch you on the not-so-good days."

    The 'Billy and the Epic Escape' writer grew up in a pub and he dreams of opening a boozer of his own one day.

    He said: "When I left for London at 16, my dream was to come back.

    "I love my life. And I love my team. And I love the work that I have the opportunity to do.

    "But I still haven't fulfilled my career goal, which was to open a beautiful pub and do my version of what I grew up in."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     15 Feb: Heather McComb will remember James Van Der Beek as being "innocent, kind and pure of heart"
     15 Feb: Margaret Qualley felt "overwhelmed" when she began her acting career
     15 Feb: Bunnie Xo has been wowed by Jelly Roll's 300-lb. weight loss
     15 Feb: Jesy Nelson no longer has "time" to make music
     15 Feb: Lena Dunham replaced her friends with a "posse" of cats after moving to London
     15 Feb: Camila Cabello has revealed "it's taken a year" for her hair to recover after she dyed it blonde
     15 Feb: Kylie Jenner has applauded her sister Kim Kardashian for "nailing" the new SKIMS cotton collection
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Middle distance runner Sam Ruthe has been unable to replicate his stunning mile earlier this month at another indoor event in North Carolina More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    BNZ bank is offering support to those affected by severe weather More...



     Today's News

    Rugby:
    Middle distance runner Sam Ruthe has been unable to replicate his stunning mile earlier this month at another indoor event in North Carolina 21:57

    Environment:
    NEMA is warning people in large swathes of the North Island to prepare for bad weather overnight 21:17

    International:
    Frog toxins used to poison Alexei Navalny the latest in long history of Russian chemical attacks 21:07

    Environment:
    Residents due to be hit by heavy rain and severe gales are being warned to act now 18:57

    Soccer:
    The Wellington Phoenix women's side have missed an opportunity to return to the top of the A-League ladder, with a 2-1 home loss to Central Coast 18:37

    Politics:
    Opposition draws battlelines on nuclear and capital gains tax changes 18:17

    Law and Order:
    Police say a post-mortem will be carried out in the coming days after a body washed up at Mahia, near Wairoa 18:07

    Rugby League:
    The Indigenous Women have come from 14-nil down to beat the Maori Women 20-14 in their pre-season All-Stars rugby league match in Hamilton 18:07

    Soccer:
    The Wellington Phoenix trail the Central Coast Mariners 2-1 at halftime of their women's A-League match in Porirua 17:27

    Cricket:
    Black Caps pace bowler Lockie Ferguson has departed the T20 World Cup camp on paternity leave 16:17


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd