I deeply detest social distinction and snobbery, and in that lies my strong aversion to titular honours.

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.

No country will reach its full potential if its female citizens do not enjoy full equality.

I've been round Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, and China in the last few months and the message that I've been taking is that New Zealand is building an up market dynamic into a connected economy. And that we are not the old-fashioned, ship mutton kind of product the people associate their export in work.

People are optimistic about the future.

Of course as a small country you're not necessarily in the strongest negotiating position unless you're negotiating with other small countries.

I think it's inevitable that New Zealand will become a republic and that would reflect the reality that New Zealand is a totally sovereign-independent 21st century nation 12,000 miles from the United Kingdom.