We also need to remember the enduring principles on which the National Party is based – individual responsibility, support for families and communities, and a belief that the State can’t and shouldn’t do everything.

We should always measure a government’s environmental rhetoric against its environmental record.

Our opponents say more children are living in poverty than when we came into office. And that’s probably right.

Your personality as the prime minister feeds through to what you emphasise, and what you don’t, how you’ll handle a situation – whether you’ve got the combination of intelligence or instincts to adapt and to make good decisions.

It would be stupid of me to rule out ever being the leader because that’s an impossible thing to rule out. I can’t predict future events.

I’m not claiming I’m a saint, but I have a genuine, genuine belief in trying to help others.

Our opponents say more children are living in poverty than when we came into office. And that's probably right.

Your personality as the prime minister feeds through to what you emphasise, and what you don't, how you'll handle a situation - whether you've got the combination of intelligence or instincts to adapt and to make good decisions.

While his removal will not necessarily bring an immediate end to terrorist activity, I have absolutely no doubt that the world is a safer place without Osama Bin Laden.

Osama Bin Laden was responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, including New Zealanders, in several different parts of the world.