In the end, there will always be a fundamental difference of perspective between New Zealand and Australia on defense, whoever is in government.

In terms of having views and being prepared to express them, yes, I think New Zealand's had a leadership role in a lot of things.

Innovation applied across the board of development is having a huge impact, and can have more. All sorts of technology can provide shortcuts, can overcome obstacles which once seemed insuperable.

It's fair to say that, for much of my lifetime, New Zealand certainly was a property-owning democracy and working people, ordinary people, had assets.

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

Business can talk itself into a blue funk.

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.