I only take on roles that I'm passionate about.

People are optimistic about the future.

Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries on earth. Security issue or no security issue, there would need to be a focus on it.

Health and education are always issues.

If the market is left to sort matters out, social injustice will be heightened and suffering in the community will grow with the neglect the market fosters.

As New Zealanders, we've been in on the United Nations from the very beginning, played a role in the drafting of the charter - it means a lot to us that those processes are followed.

In terms of protecting ourselves, the main issues are around how do we protect our borders [from illegal migrants and livestock and plant diseases], how do we protect our fisheries?