Charlotte's bruised but not beaten

Television babe Charlotte Dawson is back in New Zealand, nursing a battered heart ... and a bruised bottom.

Sydney-based Charlotte is on a fortnight's holiday with family including star actress niece Emily Barclay (In My Father's Den and Suburban Mayhem) near stunning Tawharanui beach, north of Auckland.

"I've pitched the tent out on the lawn and am just chilling," the trans-Tasman A-lister told Sunday News.

"Unfortunately I've got a really nasty great big bruise on my bottom because we all went horse riding and I fell off."

Charlotte's summer vacation "loads of walking, horse riding and eating beautiful healthy food" is a perfect antidote to the sudden break-up of her relationship with underfire Australian businessman Matthew Rhodin.

Rhodin, 42, has pleaded not guilty to loan fraud charges over the purchase of a multi-million dollar commercial property in Sydney.

The couple split after a photograph appeared in an Australian newspaper of Charlotte posing with a controversial and handsome Sydney nightclub promoter at a recent social event.

The former Getaway presenter has been reported as condemning the publication of the innocent photo.

"(Rhodin) can't afford to have his name and charges mentioned every time I get photographed," Charlotte was quoted as saying.

"I understand why he dumped me but that doesn't make it any easier."

Charlotte didn't want to further discuss the break-up with the man she has stood by and was even tipped to being ready to wed.

"I'm not going to make any more comments.

"That's my New Year's resolution," she said.

But the society beauty and Australia's Next Top Model judge said her high profile and publicity commitments made it "very difficult for somebody to be with somebody like me, especially if they're facing a very difficult time.

"It's certainly something that comes with my territory. That's my choice in life, not their choice in life," she said.

Charlotte was off the celebrity circuit and around the campfire this New Year's Eve, enjoying a quiet one with family and close friends.

Any thoughts of romance were on hold.

"We'll just see what happens. It's funny. You've got your girlfriends running around, they write lists and they dream up Mr Right and everything," she said."I just go about my business.

"You've got to remember I'm 42 now, so those sort of things sort of go by the wayside a little."

Charlotte said she would focus on an increasingly busy career in 2009, including another series of Australia's Next Top Model and a major reality TV show which was still under wraps.

"I'm also doing some work on the (Sydney) Mardi Gras this year and I'm working on another book at the moment."

In 2003, the ex-international catwalk model released her autobiography Charlotte's Secrets: The Advice I Wish I'd Taken, including her thoughts on "being a product and a member of the media at the same time".

Kiwi-born Charlotte, who relocated to Australia in 2007, told Sunday News after the move she had been subjected to a stream of negative publicity from some areas of the media when she lived here.

"I adore New Zealand, but it's very very small. It's easy to become a target. I think a lot of the time I'm a column filler," she said from her family holiday home last week.

"Only a very small group of very insignificant people I suppose really did ruin my life in New Zealand. That was a bit of a heartbreak. I did let that get to me."

But her holiday "has been one of the happiest Christmases I've had".

"You do forget how insanely gorgeous this place is. I smile from ear to ear just driving around," she said.

"This is an absolute relaxing holiday with my family. We're just having such a good time, it's wonderful.

"I'm not sworn off NZ. I absolutely love the place and I love the people.

"I'm about getting into my work and doing things that I absolutely love ... apart from falling off horses!"

- © Fairfax NZ News