GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO Q+A. I'M JESSICA MUTCH. I THINK THE THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS I'M NOT DEAD. I HAVE NOT EXITED FROM THE COUNTRY. I WILL JUST BE IN SANDRINGHAM. PRIME MINISTER JACINDA ARDERN SITS DOWN FOR ONE OF HER LAST MAJOR INTERVIEWS BEFORE TAKING HER BABY BREAK. AND I'M LIVE FROM SINGAPORE THIS MORNING. AND NATIONAL HAS HELD ON TO NORTHCOTE. DAN BIDOIS. (CHEERING) DAN BIDOIS IS HEADING TO PARLIAMENT AS NATIONAL'S NEWEST MP. WE'LL HEAR FROM HIM LATER IN THE PROGRAMME. AND WE'LL HAVE ANALYSIS FROM OUR PANEL ` DR JENNIFER CURTIN, MAX HARRIS AND SIR DON MCKINNON. CAPTIONS BY JUNE YEOW AND CHELSEA BRADY. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. COPYRIGHT ABLE 2018 AND WE START IN SINGAPORE, WHERE A SMALL RESORT OFF THE MAIN ISLAND IS SET TO BECOME THE STAGE FOR HISTORIC TALKS BETWEEN US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND KIM JONG-UN, THE LEADER OF NORTH KOREA ` ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST REPRESSIVE STATES. Q+A PRESENTER CORIN DANN IS THERE. CORIN, THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING. TELL US WHAT IT'S LIKE ON THE GROUND. When the people coming in? we are expecting Donald Trump to arrive tonight. Kim Jong Linda is also a expected arrive tonight. That will give them a full day for preparation of they need it. THE MOOD IS A mixture of optimism and scepticism. Optimism that they are at least talking, That there may be some pathway and that it could be some sort of a breakthrough here in terms of Setting the groundwork for the future. Singapore itself is certainly buzzing. They are honoured to be holding this. They feel very proud. They are seen as a neutral enough spot with some diplomatic relations with North Korea. They are well coming. There are bars with with themes. Donald Trump, when he left the G7, he made some interesting comments. He said he would know within five seconds whether this was going to work Because that's the type of guy he is. He said he would know within five seconds, and if it wasn't right, so be it. You wouldn't waste his time. Typical Donald Trump bravado. Why is admitting a big deal WHY IS THIS MEETING A BIG DEAL FOR THE ASIAN REGION AND NEW ZEALAND? if you go back a year, there was a great fear that once Kim Jong own had developed those missiles and its nuclear program to point where he could fire back missiles to the US, If you are in Asia and in Japan in particular, they were firing missiles over the coast of Japan. Things were getting a lot more extreme in terms of the possibility of conflict. Donald Trump was talking about fire fury, rocket man, and there was a feeling that Even limited strike to be talked about from the US. Conflict wwas looking very real. For New Zealand, Asia, 14 of our major trading partners are in Asia. Any conflict in Asia would have a dramatic impact on trade, On our trade routes. I sat down with Jacinda Ardern I asked her about the North Korean situation And with the success had to be denuclearisation. I asked her if that was achieved, if Donald Trump to the Nobel Peace Prize. IF WE SEE AN OUTCOME WHERE WE SEE DENUCLEARISATION IN NORTH KOREA, I THINK WE ALL NEED TO CELEBRATE THAT. AND IF DONALD TRUMP PLAYS A ROLE IN THAT, THAT NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED. FAIR ENOUGH. OK. YOUR GOVERNMENT NOW HAS YOU PREPARE, I GUESS, FOR YOUR MATERNITY LEAVE. 10 MONTHS OR SO IN GOVERNMENT ` TIME TO REFLECT, I SUPPOSE, ON WHERE THINGS HAVE GOT TO. DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN THE TRANSFORMATIVE GOVERNMENT THAT YOU PROMISED? WE WILL BE. AND WE'VE ALWAYS SAID THAT THESE THINGS DO TAKE TIME, BUT WE'RE LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR A TRANSFORMATIVE GOVERNMENT. AND THAT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE POLICIES THAT YOU DELIVER. YOU KNOW, I'M PROUD` IN FACT, IF I WAS PICKING SOMETHING I WAS PROUD OF, THOSE FIRST 100 DAYS, WE SET OUT RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE KIND OF GOVERNMENT WE WANTED TO BE, AND WE DID IT THROUGH THINGS LIKE THE FAMILIES PACKAGE, WHICH KICKS IN IN JULY. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN OUT OF POVERTY, STRAIGHT OFF THE BAT. WARMING UP OLDER NEW ZEALANDERS' HOMES. ACTUALLY PURSUING A CHANGE IN OUR ECONOMIC AGENDA TO LIFT PRODUCTIVITY, TO LIFT TRADE. BUT, ACTUALLY, THEY ARE THE FOUNDATIONS, AND IT IS GOING TO TAKE US A LITTLE MORE TIME TO SEE THAT SHIFT. 'LET'S DO IT', IS IT? OH, (CHUCKLES) THE FACT THAT WE MANAGED TO WIN THAT ELECTION UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THAT WITHIN 100 DAYS WE SET OUT A PROGRAMME THAT I THINK MEANT THAT WE HAVE DONE MORE IN THAT 10 MONTHS THAN I THINK YOU POSSIBLY WOULD'VE SEEN IN THE LAST THREE YEARS WAS SIGNIFICANT. SURE. HOW HAS IT BEEN TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR THE YOUNG COUPLE TRYING TO GET A HOUSE IN AUCKLAND? THEY'RE ON RELATIVELY LOW WAGES. HOW HAS THEIR LIFE BEEN TRANSFORMED IN THESE 10 MONTHS, THOUGH? BECAUSE WE'VE SAID IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR US TO JUST SIT AND EXCLAIM THAT IT'S A CRISIS, AND WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING. SO WE WENT STRAIGHT ON, AND WE'VE SAID WE'RE BANNING FOREIGN OVERSEAS BUYERS WHO HAVE NO INTEREST IN NEW ZEALAND'S PROSPERITY OR LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND FROM OWNING A HOME. WE'VE SET UP KIWIBUILD. NOW, EVERYONE ACKNOWLEDGES IT DOES TAKE A WHILE TO BUILD A HOME. IT'S GOING TO TAKE US A WHILE TO AMP UP KIWIBUILD, BUT WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE SUPPLY IN THAT AFFORDABLE RANGE. OK. SO, WHEN DO WE SEE THE TRANSFORMATION? FAIR ENOUGH. YOU'RE SAYING IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME; BE PATIENT. WHEN WILL YOU BE ABLE TO COME ON Q+A AND SAY, 'WE'VE DONE IT'? WELL, FOR KIWIBUILD, IT'S A 10-YEAR PROGRAMME, AND WE'VE ALWAYS SAID THAT. FIRST THREE YEARS, WE GET 16,000 HOUSES. BUT WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS GOVERNMENT IS THAT WE WERE WILLING TO SAY, 'THE MARKET'S FAILED. WE'RE STEPPING IN.' AND THAT'S ACTUALLY A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAY OF DOING THINGS. NOW, WE'RE NOT WILLING TO STAND ON THE SIDELINE. AND, YES, IT'S MEANT THAT WE'VE COURTED CONTROVERSY. CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME EXAMPLES WHERE YOU'VE STEPPED IN DIRECTLY TO THE MARKET? YEAH, WELL, THE KIWIBUILD PROGRAMME IS US DOING THAT. WE'VE SAID THE MARKET IS NOT PRODUCING HOUSES AT THAT AFFORDABLE END OF THE SCALE, AND SO WE ARE GOING TO DRIVE THAT PRODUCTION. THE PROVINCIAL` $650,000 FOR A HOUSE IN AUCKLAND. FOR THREE BEDROOMS. AND THAT'S AT A MAXIMUM PRICE. OF COURSE, WE WANT TO SEE THEM LOWER. BUT WHEN YOU COMPARE THAT TO THE FACT AT THE MOMENT, ON AVERAGE, IT'S $1 MILLION, THEN RELATIVE TO THAT` THAT'S HARDLY TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR THAT COUPLE IN AUCKLAND TRYING TO GET INTO THAT HOUSE. THEY'RE STILL LOOKING AT $650,000. AND I GUESS THE POINT I'M MAKING IS ABOUT WHETHER THE RHETORIC IN THE CAMPAIGN AND THE RHETORIC OF YOUR GOVERNMENT IS BEING MATCHED BY YOUR ACTIONS. YES, IT IS. WE'VE SAID THAT WE WANT TO BE A GOVERNMENT WHO IS WORLD-LEADING ON CHILD POVERTY. WE'VE GOT GOALS IN PLACE THAT WILL SEE US HAVE SOME OF THE LOWEST CHILD POVERTY RATES IN THE OECD. WE'VE SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO SIT BACK. WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY BUILD HOUSES. NO ONE HAS DONE THAT SINCE THE LAST TIME THE LABOUR GOVERNMENT DID IT WITH STATE HOUSING. WE'VE SAID THAT WE WANT TO LEAD THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO OUR ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA, SO WE'VE COME OUT AND DONE SOME BOLD THINGS IN THAT SPACE AS WELL. AND, ACTUALLY, IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR US ANY MORE TO STAND BACK AND SAY THAT WE JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT WE'RE NOT PARTICULARLY PRODUCTIVE. WE'VE BROUGHT IN FREE EDUCATION TO TRY AND GET SCHOOL LEAVERS AND FACTORY FLOOR WORKERS INTO TRAINING AND EDUCATION. WE'VE TAKEN HITS ON ALL OF IT. THEY WERE BOLD, BUT THEY WERE THE RIGHT THING TO DO. OK, FAIR ENOUGH. BUT HOW IS SOMEBODY ON A BENEFIT WHO IS FACING BENEFIT SANCTIONS BEING HELPED? BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T REMOVED THOSE. WE'VE STARTED THAT WORK. AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE SAID` BUT COULDN'T YOU HAVE DONE THAT STRAIGHTAWAY? YOU TALK ABOUT BEING A MORE KIND, COMPASSIONATE GOVERNMENT, AND THOSE ON THE LEFT ARE CRYING OUT FOR YOU TO REMOVE THOSE SANCTIONS, WHICH THEY BELIEVE ARE UNFAIR. THAT'S SOMETHING YOU COULD'VE DONE STRAIGHTAWAY. YEAH, AND THERE'S ONE EXAMPLE THAT PEOPLE BRING UP TIME AND TIME AGAIN, AND THAT'S AROUND SOLE PARENTS. BUT WHEN WE WERE DESIGNING THE FAMILIES PACKAGE, ONE OF THE THINGS I CAME UP AGAINST A LOT WAS THE WAY THAT WORKING FOR FAMILIES WORKS AGAINST THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE, THE WAY THAT WORKS AGAINST ACCOMMODATION SUPPLEMENTS. WE HAVE A VERY COMPLEX SYSTEM, AND IT IS FAILING PEOPLE. NOW, WE COULD PICK ONE THING OFF, AND IT WOULD AFFECT A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE, OR WE COULD ACTUALLY SAY, 'THERE'S A MUCH BIGGER PIECE OF WORK HERE 'THAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE WE SUPPORT PEOPLE WHEN THEY NEED IT; 'WE MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE BETTER OFF WHEN THEY START 'ENTERING INTO WORK AS WELL.' SO, AGAIN, PEOPLE NEED TO BE PATIENT? YEAH, WELL, WE KNOW IT'S BIGGER THAN JUST LITTLE, TINY CHANGES. AND IF YOU WANT TO BE TRANSFORMATIVE, CORIN, ACTUALLY, SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO SIT DOWN AND SAY WE'LL TAKE THE TIME, GET IT RIGHT, SAVE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN, BUT ACTUALLY MAKE SURE THAT OUR SAFETY NET IS JUST THAT. WHY WASN'T THAT SAME LENS APPLIED TO THE DECISION ON OIL AND GAS? WHICH WAS, CLEARLY, A POLITICAL DECISION WHICH YOU PLUCKED OUT OF THIN AIR, IT SEEMS. AND YET AT THE TIME, I REMEMBER, DURING THE CAMPAIGN, WHEN I DID STAND IN AUCKLAND TOWN HALL AND SAY, 'FOSSIL FUELS AREN'T OUR FUTURE, AND THIS IS OUR NUCLEAR-FREE MOMENT. 'THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE TO START MAKING SOME BIG DECISIONS.' I GOT ASKED AT THAT TIME, 'WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AROUND OIL AND GAS?' AND I SAID WE NEEDED TO WORK THROUGH THAT. WE WERE SWORN IN IN OCTOBER. I WAS HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MINISTER BY DECEMBER. WE HAD BRIEFINGS ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO WHEN WE MADE THE DECISION IN APRIL. WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THAT. OK, FAIR ENOUGH. PUTTING THAT ASIDE, IT HAS HAD A CHILLING EFFECT ON SOME PARTS OF BUSINESS, CERTAINLY IN TARANAKI. DO YOU REGRET THE WAY IT WAS ROLLED OUT? BECAUSE COULDN'T YOU HAVE DONE IT IN A WAY WHERE YOU DID INVOLVE BUSINESSES, WHERE YOU INVOLVED PEOPLE SO THAT YOU DIDN'T GET THIS CHILLING EFFECT? WELL, I MEAN, WE, OF COURSE, KNEW THE VIEW OF THE INDUSTRY. OF COURSE, THEY WOULD'VE WANTED TO SEE ONGOING BLOCK OFFERS TAKING US FORWARD FOR THE NEXT PERIOD. BUT WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WAS GIVE ASSURANCE TO THOSE WHO ALREADY HAD PERMITS, AND WE HAVE ROUGHLY 50 ` THE SIZE OF THE NORTH ISLAND ` ALREADY COVERED BY PERMITS FOR OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION. KEY FOR US WAS TO SAY WE ARE A GOVERNMENT OF OUR WORD. WE STAND BY THOSE, ESSENTIALLY, CONTRACTS. THEY WILL REMAIN, AND WE WILL SUPPORT THOSE INDUSTRIES TO CONTINUE. BUT WHAT WE'VE GOT TO DO IS PLAN BEYOND THE NEXT 30 YEARS, AND THAT'S WHAT THAT DECISION WAS ABOUT. NOW, THAT CHILLING EFFECT YOU TALK ABOUT. I AM ABSOLUTELY CLEAR` I AM FRUSTRATED BY SOME OF THE RHETORIC THAT HAS LED PEOPLE TO BELIEVE, WRONGLY, THAT WE WILL NOT CONTINUE TO HONOUR OUR WORD FOR THE PERMITS THAT EXIST. IT'S NOT JUST IN OIL AND GAS, THOUGH, IS IT? BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT A BUSINESS CONFIDENCE PROBLEM, THAT HAS CONTINUED TO FALL, DESPITE A BUDGET WHICH WAS CLEARLY DESIGNED TO WIN OVER BUSINESS BY BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. IT HASN'T FALLEN. IT JUST HASN'T INCREASED. IT HAS FALLEN, IN THEIR OWN ACTIVITY. IN THE LAST SURVEY, THERE ARE FEWER FIRMS CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR OWN ACTIVITY. AND YET, ACTUALLY, THE MEASURES THAT I'M INTERESTED IN ARE ONES THAT TEND TO DEMONSTRATE WHERE WE HAVE ONGOING GROWTH, AND THOSE HAVE NOT PLUMMETED BY ANY STRETCH. OF COURSE, WE'RE PREDICTED TO STILL HAVE STRONG, ON AVERAGE, 3% GDP GROWTH. IT IS A MATTER OF PRIDE FOR THIS GOVERNMENT, THOUGH, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE REALITY OF WHERE THE ECONOMY'S GOING` I TAKE YOUR POINT. BUT JUST FINALLY BEFORE I MOVE ON, BUT YOU MUST BE WORRIED THAT EVENTUALLY IF BUSINESSES WHO, FOR SOME REASON, ARE GRUMPY WITH YOU, CONTINUE TO BE SO, THEY MAY STOP TO INVEST, AND THAT DOES DAMAGE THE ECONOMY. AND OF COURSE, WE'VE GOT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO CHANGE THAT. I AGREE. THAT'S WHY WE'RE UNDERTAKING THINGS LIKE OUR R&D TAX CREDIT, TO TRY AND STIMULATE THAT INVESTMENT. THAT'S WHY WE'RE LOOKING AT THINGS LIKE INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO INVEST IN SMALL BUSINESS. THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING OUT AND WORKING ALONGSIDE BUSINESS FOR SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE FLOATED THAT WE WANT TO DO. WE'RE NOT MAKING ARBITRARY DECISIONS. WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER. BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT LABOUR GOVERNMENTS SUCCESSIVELY HAVE STRUGGLED WITH. FOR ME, I TAKE IT AS A MATTER OF PRIDE. I WANT TO DEMONSTRATE THAT I CANNOT ACHIEVE WHAT I WANT TO ACHIEVE AS PRIME MINISTER IF WE DO NOT HAVE STRONG BUSINESS CONFIDENCE AND GROWTH. WELL, WE'LL SEE PERHAPS IN A FEW MONTHS' TIME WHETHER IT TURNS AROUND. WINSTON PETERS, WHO WILL TAKE OVER FROM YOU IN PRESUMABLY THE NEXT WEEK, TWO WEEKS, WHENEVER THAT MAY BE` WHO KNOWS. WHO KNOWS. WHAT HAVE YOU SAID TO HIM ABOUT HIS ROLE? WHAT HAVE YOU SAID TO HIM? THERE'S REALLY BEEN NO NEED TO HAVE THAT KIND OF CONVERSATION. HE ALREADY IS THE DEPUTY PRIME MINSTER, AND THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES, OF COURSE, WHEN I'VE BEEN ABSENT AND HE'S TAKEN ON THAT ROLE. IT'S AN ABSOLUTE GIVEN WHAT'S REQUIRED. AND THE POINT THAT I'VE BEEN MAKING IS THAT WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLY GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP. I'VE ALMOST FOUND IT'S SURPRISING THAT PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONED THAT IT WOULD BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR US BECAUSE WE ALREADY WORK SO CLOSELY TOGETHER. WHAT'S THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS? SO WHAT LEVEL DO DECISIONS GET ESCALATED TO YOU NO MATTER WHAT? WELL, IN FACT, THAT'S ALMOST INTUITIVE NOW. THERE ARE ISSUES THAT I WILL KNOW IS JUST SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT I'LL GIVE THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER A CALL, AND WE'LL TALK THROUGH SOME OF THOSE ISSUES, AS I DO WITH OTHER SENIOR COLLEAGUES. AND I KNOW THAT WILL JUST HAPPEN IN REVERSE WHEN HE IS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. SO LET'S RUN THROUGH SOME SCENARIOS, THEN. SURE. WHAT ABOUT IF A MINISTER IN YOUR CABINET GETS INTO TROUBLE FOR WHATEVER REASON, SOME SORT OF A SCANDAL HAPPENS, AND A DECISION MAY NEED TO BE MADE ABOUT WHETHER THEY NEED TO BE STOOD DOWN. WE SAW THAT RECENTLY. WOULD WINSTON PETERS MAKE THAT DECISION OR WOULD YOU? YEAH, NO, THAT GETS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, AND WE'VE THAT CONVERSATION, BECAUSE THAT'S ACTUALLY A MEMBER OF MY PARTY. AND SO THAT BECOMES BOTH AN ISSUE OF A MINISTERIAL ROLE BUT ALSO SOMEONE WHO'S IN THE LABOUR TEAM. AND SO I WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THAT, ELSE TO DISCIPLE A MEMBER OF THE LABOUR PARTY. SO POTENTIALLY IF IT HAPPENED AT AN AWKWARD TIME, IT COULD JUST BE DELAYED. BUT YOU WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THAT DECISION? OH, I WOULD BE INVOLVED. AND, LOOK, IF THERE WAS ANY NEED FOR AN INSTANT REACTION, OF COURSE WE'D WORK TOGETHER, BECAUSE THERE'S NO DOUBT THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER WOULD BE ASKED, SO OF COURSE WE'D WORK COLLABORATIVELY. AND I THINK THE KEY THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS I'M NOT DEAD, I HAVE NOT EXITED FROM THE COUNTRY, I WILL JUST BE IN SANDRINGHAM. AND SO I'LL BE STAYING IN TOUCH. YEAH, I MEAN, HOW DO YOU ENVISAGE THAT WORKING? I MEAN, WILL YOU STILL STAY ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS? YEAH, I THINK IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO STAY ENGAGED. IT IS STILL A ROLE, OBVIOUSLY, THAT I CONSIDER A HUGE PRIVILEGE, AND A RESPONSIBILITY, SO, YES, I'LL STILL BE GETTING CABINET PAPERS AND STAYING IN TOUCH. BUT ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT, I GET ON INCREDIBLY WELL WITH WINSTON PETERS. WE WORK TOGETHER WELL. IT'S A RELATIONSHIP WHERE I THINK WE BOTH HAVE STRENGTHS TO COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONCERNS ABOUT THESE NEXT SIX WEEKS. SO DO YOU ACTUALLY FEEL QUITE COMFORTED THAT HE'S THE PERSON TAKING OVER? YEAH. YEAH. ABSOLUTELY. I HAVE NO CONCERNS WHATSOEVER. AND THE SENSE I GET FROM MOST NEW ZEALANDERS IS THAT THEY DON'T REALLY EITHER. YOU JUST REFLECT ON OUR LAST NINE MONTHS. WE ARE FROM DIFFERENT PARTIES. WE HAVE DIFFERENT POLICY AGENDAS. BUT WE ARE STABLE, AND WE ARE STRONG, AND THIS IS THE PUREST MMP GOVERNMENT NEW ZEALAND HAS HAD, AND I THINK WE'VE DEMONSTRATED WHAT IS POSSIBLE. WHAT HAPPENS IF WINSTON PETERS, FOR WHATEVER REASON, NEEDED TO STEP DOWN OR IS SICK OR SOMETHING? HEAVEN FORBID. WHO WOULD TAKE OVER THEN? THEN IT JUST DROPS DOWN TO THE NEXT MOST SENIOR PERSON, WHICH IS KELVIN DAVIS. OK, VERY GOOD. ON THE ISSUE OF THE BABY, WHEN YOU FIRST ANNOUNCED IT, THERE WAS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT AND TALK ABOUT YOU EFFECTIVELY BEING A ROLE MODEL, AND I GUESS THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING. MM. DO YOU FEEL THAT WEIGHT OF PRESSURE? IS THAT A ROLE MODEL ROLE THAT YOU WANT? THERE ARE THESE ODD MOMENTS WHERE THE PRESSURE ` I ACTUALLY TEND TO IGNORE THAT FROM DAY TO DAY AND JUST GET ON WITH DOING THE JOB. BUT WHEN I GET A FLURRY OF TEXT MESSAGES FROM MEDIA AND THE LIKES BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY'VE SEEN A CAVALCADE HEADING TO AUCKLAND AIRPORT, IT MAKES ME REALISE THAT THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST AND THERE'S EYES ON IT. FOR THE RECORD, I WOULD NEVER TAKE A CAVALCADE TO THE HOSPITAL. I'LL JUST TRAVEL IN MY NORMAL VEHICLE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. BUT THOSE MOMENTS DO MAKE ME REALISE IT, AND IT HAS TAKEN THOSE MOMENTS TO HEIGHTEN THAT. THE POINT I'VE CONTINUALLY TRIED TO MAKE IS THAT I DO NOT WANT TO CREATE A FALSE IMPRESSION THAT ALL WOMEN SHOULD BE SUPERHUMAN OR SUPERWOMAN; THAT I'M ABLE TO DO WHAT I'M DOING BECAUSE I HAVE ENORMOUS SUPPORT AROUND ME, AND ACTUALLY, THAT MAKES ME QUITE PRIVILEGED. SO I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE HELD UP AS SOME KIND OF EXEMPLAR BECAUSE IT'S NOT EASY, AND I'M LUCKY. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, I'VE HAD THREE CHILDREN ` MY WIFE'S HAD THREE CHILDREN ` IT IS POLITICAL IN SOME WAYS. EVERYTHING IS JUDGED, WHETHER IT BE THE STROLLER... YES, I'M MINDFUL OF THAT. YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN A FISH BOWL, AND EVERY LITTLE THING IS GOING TO BE JUDGED. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT? YEAH, AND I THINK THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE HAD TO ACCEPT, AND ACTUALLY, THAT'S AN EXTENSION OF LIFE, GENERALLY, NOW. WE KNOW THAT WE ARE WATCHED, AND WE DO OUR BEST JUST TO BE TRUE TO OURSELVES. BUT WE KNOW THAT WILL HAPPEN TO US FOR PARENTING AS WELL. AS LONG AS THE JUDGEMENT FALLS ON ME MORE THAN MY CHILD, THAT'S WHAT I HOPE FOR THE MOST. HAVE YOU MANAGED TO CARVE OUT ENOUGH SPACE FOR YOURSELF? PROBABLY NOT. AND THERE'S A CERTAIN DEGREE TO WHICH I THINK WE'RE JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER NORMAL COUPLE. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE IN FOR UNTIL YOU'RE THERE. BUT ONE OF THE COMMON THINGS I'VE HAD SAID TO ME THROUGH THIS WHOLE PERIOD IS NO MATTER WHAT, YOU JUST MAKE IT WORK, AND NO MATTER WHAT, WE'LL JUST MAKE IT WORK. JUST FINALLY, I MEAN, IS IT A MIXTURE OF EXCITEMENT` I MEAN, NOBODY'S BEEN THROUGH WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH ` BEING PRIME MINISTER AND ABOUT TO GO ON A BABY BREAK. CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT` IS IT A COMBINATION OF EXCITEMENT AND ANTICIPATION AND FEAR? I MEAN, WHAT IS IT? IT'S PROBABLY ALL OF THOSE THINGS, AND I AM MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT I'M DESPERATE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT I'M NOT GOING TO LET THE COUNTRY DOWN. AND THAT I WILL STAY TRUE TO THE ROLE THAT I HAVE BECAUSE IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO ME. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE'S THIS MOTHERLY SIDE OF NEW ZEALAND THAT IS COMING OUT WHERE I'VE BEEN GETTING THESE SPONTANEOUS MESSAGES FROM COMPLETE STRANGERS SAYING, 'WE GET IT NOW, 'BUT YOU'RE ALSO ALLOWED TO SIT DOWN.' AND SO THAT SENTIMENT HAS BEEN LOVELY, AND SO MY MESSAGE WOULD BE I CAN ASSURE PEOPLE I WILL KEEP DOING MY JOB, BUT I ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE I'M NOT SUPERHUMAN. SEND US YOUR THOUGHTS. WE'RE ON TWITTER AT NZQANDA. YOU CAN EMAIL US AT Q+A AT TVNZ.CO.NZ. WE'LL BRING IN OUR PANEL AFTER THE BREAK. AND CORIN WILL BE BACK LATER IN THE PROGRAMME. HE'S INTERVIEWED TWO EXPERTS ON WHAT'S AT STAKE AT THE SINGAPOREAN SUMMIT. STAY WITH US. LET'S BRING IN OUR PANEL ` POLITICAL SCIENTIST DR JENNIFER CURTIN FROM AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY; MAX HARRIS, RHODES SCHOLAR AND AUTHOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND PROJECT; AND SIR DON MCKINNON, FORMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER, A FORMER COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY GENERAL TOO. Jennifer, we heard the Prime Minister talking about not being superwoman. She says she has an obligation to New Zealand as well. What you take from that? I think she's got a handle on this. It seems it's business as usual, but adding the motherhood aspect in. She is following cabinet that's manual procedure in handing over the leadership. The big thing about the birth of the baby ` it's important the media doesn't fantasise. It's a normal part. It's rare, Max. The second time in history that a leader has given birth in power. It's rare, but I think a lot of the qualities of Jacinda Ardern ` directness and honesty. One of the interesting thing about the pregnancy will be Clark being a stay-at-home dad. That will be a good role model for young men. The makes me comfortable that things will be in control. Sir Don, you have been a parent of power. What can she expect? A lot of balls juggling there? Suddenly there are whole lot of challenges that you do want to respond to as a mother Which will come into conflict from time to time. I think she has a remarkable ability to adapt as things change. Jennifer, you talked about that handing over of the political process. She said she has no concerns whatsoever with Winston Peters coming in. CAN you talk us to the process? We've seen it before. Jim Anderton was pm of another party when Helen Clark's government was first elected in 1989. The cabinets manual was very clear on this. People can go to section 2 or section 6. There isn't anything extra we need to see happen. A few of us have done that. What the unknown as is less around her and more around Winston Peters and the length of time he will be acting prime minister, which is what will be unusual. You've worked closely with Winston Peters. Do you have any concerns? He will handle this extraordinarily well. No one has more experience in parliament that he has. He has seen it all, he knows it all, he has been acting prime minister before. He is capable of being very relaxed about it. He will be fine. Is it just the media that is concerned? Does anyone really care about that? He has a huge machine behind him in terms of the pm Department. The test of any leader is how they handle shock, unpredictability, the unexpected. That is when a leader emerges. What's your take on that? Do you feel pretty comfortable with Winston Peters Being in charge for the six week period? As Sir Don said, he's had the experience before. I think he's got a good overview of government. I don't have major qualms. Government as a team, they have shown that as Jacinda Ardern said, they are a true MMP governments. They have managed to hold a team together prettyWell. No specific worries for me. One thing I want to talk to you ` you've talked about the values and we should bring more values bracket in New Zealand politics. The Prime Minister talked about kindness An whether that's one thing she's bored to New Zealand politics. Kindness isn't at the top of the List when wethink about what we want my politicians. I think that sets the tone for how the country is run.. I think Jacinda has done it very well. Value driven decisions like not building waikeria prison. What you think? Is kindness impt? In my time, soundbites are very important. Politicians spent lots of time developing soundbites. And at debating chamber, there is not kind is going on. Do we require that? I think require better manners and a debating chamber. Some people see something extraordinary, some outlandish, and that is what they tend to strive towards. As the media the problem? I think in the house, people would probably enjoy seeing a little more civility rather than kindness, I think we are likely to see different values coming through different policies. For example, the Treasury is talking about A well-being framework to measure economic success. That is a shift on focusing on hard measures like GDP. That focus on what makes people's lives better. We might be able to extrapolate and say tthat is a different way of valuing, moving them forward into actual policy changes. One of the changes you've talked about was being a transformative government. She said we will be. What you take from that?? The termination. She really does want to show more than just pictures of gender change, age change. The lot. She wants to put that at the centre of New Zealand. So far she has been reasonably successful. What you make of that answer, Jennifer? Picking up from the let's do this of the election campaign. I think of the pragmatic element to it. She was to unroll the transformation of the next three years so they are ready to run and win again at 2020. From looking at how transformation as a term is used in the business community in the corporate world, this is a term that gets bandied about quite a lot. It's not always clear what the measurements are that sits behind it. To expect transformation and just over 100 days is unrealistic from anybody's point of view. CORIN'S BACK AFTER THE BREAK. HE'S IN SINGAPORE FOR THE SUMMIT BETWEEN THE US AND NORTH KOREA. WHAT CHANCE OF A DEAL TO END THE CONFLICT ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA? WELCOME BACK TO SINGAPORE. I SPOKE TO WASHINGTON POST TOKYO BUREAU CHIEF ANNA FIFIELD AND STARTED BY ASKING HER WHAT HAS GOT KIM JUNG-UN TO THIS POINT. I've caught up in a number of experts and commentators. One of them isA kiwi expert in that field. I asked her what has changed to got Kim Jong own back to the table. I THINK THIS WAS, ACTUALLY, PART OF HIS GAME PLAN ALL ALONG. THAT WHEN HE CAME INTO POWER AT THE END OF 2011, HERE HE WAS, THIS YOUNG GUY. YOU KNOW, HE WAS A MARSHALL IN THE ARMY, DESPITE NEVER HAVING SERVED A DAY IN THE MILITARY IN HIS LIFE, AND HE REALLY NEEDED TO PROVE TO THE PEOPLE THAT HE WAS THE LEGITIMATE LEADER OF NORTH KOREA. AND SO HE SET ABOUT DOING THIS BY SAYING THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE NORTH KOREA DOWN A TWO-TRACK KIND OF PATH. HE WAS GONNA DEVELOP THE NUCLEAR PROGRAMME AND STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMY. WHILE HE SPENT THE FIRST SIX YEARS DOING THE FIRST PART OF THAT. HE MADE ASTONISHING ADVANCES IN THE MISSILE PROGRAMME AND IN THE NUCLEAR PROGRAMME, SO HE WAS ABLE TO PROVE THAT HE WAS MILITARILY STRONG AT HOME AND ABROAD. SO, NOW, AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, AFTER HE'D TESTED A HYDROGEN BOMB ` HE'D PROVEN THAT HE HAD A MISSILE THAT COULD REACH THE ENTIRE U.S. ` HE DECLARED THAT HIS WEAPONS PROGRAMME WAS NOW COMPLETE. AND, TO ME, THAT WAS A SIGNAL LIKE, 'OK, NOW WE'RE ENTERING PHASE TWO.' AND NOW HE HAS TO GET THE SANCTIONS OFF. EXACTLY. HE NEEDS TO TURN TO THE ECONOMY AND REALLY START GROWING THAT. AND TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, HE NEEDS TO GET RID OF THESE SANCTIONS OR, AT LEAST, SAP CHINA'S ENTHUSIASM FOR ENFORCING THESE SANCTIONS. SO THIS IS A HUGE WIN FOR HIM THAT IT'S HAPPENED SO QUICKLY, SURELY? THAT DONALD TRUMP HAS COME TO THE PARTY SO QUICKLY. willYEAH. I THINK THE NORTH KOREANS MUST BE SURPRISED THAT THIS HAS ALL WORKED OUT, SO FAR, THEY COULD EVER HAVE HOPED. AND, ALREADY, THE THREAT OF MILITARY STRIKES ON NORTH KOREA HAS COMPLETELY VANISHED. DIPLOMACY IS THE STORY OF THE DAY. AND SO NOW CHINA HAS STOPPED ENFORCING THE SANCTIONS ON THE BORDER. TRADE IS FLOWING AGAIN. IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET BETTER FOR KIM JONG-UN. DONALD TRUMP, WE KNOW, IS SO UNPREDICTABLE. IS THERE A RISK IF HE DOESN'T GET THE DENUCLEARISATION OF NORTH KOREA THAT HE WANTS THAT HE WILL SORT OF THROW HIS TOYS, AND IT WILL ALL BE BACK OFF. THERE IS THAT RISK, OF COURSE. BUT I THINK IT'S NOT AN IMMEDIATE RISK, BECAUSE IF THIS DOES FALL APART, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A FEW YEARS, PROBABLY, TO FALL APART ` FOR THE U.S. TO REALISE THAT NORTH KOREA, AGAIN, CANNOT BE TRUSTED. SO I THINK, PROBABLY, IT'LL TAKE SOME TIME. BUT TRUMP WON'T MIND THAT, WILL HE? NO. BECAUSE HE WANTS AN IMMEDIATE WIN AND A BOOST TO HIS PROFILE. THAT'S RIGHT, ESPECIALLY AHEAD OF THE MID-TERM ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER IN THE U.S. HE WANTS TO BE ABLE TO CROW ABOUT THIS DIPLOMATIC VICTORY. HE'S THE 'ART OF THE DEAL' GUY. SO HE WANTS TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT HE HAS ACHIEVED SOMETHING THAT BARACK OBAMA COULDN'T BEFORE HIM. He's going to eliminate this threat to the US. You are based in Japan. What is the feel like? Has there been a shadow in Japan over the exposure in North Korea? What is the feeling like? Are they excited this is a breakthrough? Of course you're happy the missiles are no longer flying any more. The government in Tokyo has aligned himself as trumps very best friend. Suddenly he is on the outs of this process. HE feel sidelined. What is like living in Asia with this threats? The big fear was that North Korea would strike the United States.. North Korea has been able to strike Japan with missiles for the last two decades. The threat to the region is always be there. It depends on where you are looking from ` If you are in South Korea, you are immune to it. It's been there for so long. In reality, nothing has really changed in the region because all that the North Korea can do now is reach the US In my perspective, The big thing that changed last year ` the wildcard factor was not Kim Jong on. It was Donald Trump. That was the unpredictable one that came along and was showing that he wasn't going to follow the conventional way. A lot of people have major issues with him. They don't think is a serious leader. Should the suspend that And give him the benefit of the doubt? I think this worked in his favour this time round because he was talking about maximum pressure and maximum pressure did work. It rattled China and made China Enforcer sanctions and away and never had before. Had everyone fearing that he was serious about striking North Korea. Maybe it was a bluff, maybe it wasn't. That was an Unpredicable side. I think maybe he was unpredictable and unorthodox, but maybe that is what is needed. He has brought the North Korean leader for a meeting. Now we have these two very bold, veryOrthodox leaders. Maybe they are the perfect match. Maybe they can make progress. Just finally, are you optimistic? I am. I do feel optimistic because these two characters are very unconventional and maybe they can make some progress in a way That people have and be able to before. I definitely do not think Kim Jong is giving up his nuclear weapons. He thinks he needs them for security, Maybe he can give up a few And make Donald Trump think he is going along with that. SHAWN HO IS AN EXPERT IN EAST ASIAN POLITICS AND SECURITY. HE IS BASED IN sINGAPORE. I STARTED BY ASKING IF THIS IS THE POTENTIAL BREAKTHOUGH EVERYONE'S HOPING FOR. We have to start from somewhere. This first meeting between the two of them, The sitting current US president, As a good start. It will not be entirely resolved. It is the start of a long process. It is not just an issue that North Korea and the US can solve by themselves. The issue of the peace treaty will involve other countries. Does that piece 3D open up some opportunities? We have the issue of nuclear weapons. As the peace treaty. Perhaps the first step? I think to have a peace treaty on 12 June would be an bit ambitious. They do not have much time to meet. They are complex issues. They involve many other countries. I think 12 June is really just A get to know you session Between the two leaders. We will see what comes out of it. There will always be a chance for a second or third meeting. If the first meeting goes well. As Kim Jong-un genuine? Is there trust that he is trying to come into the international environment and open up? And actually change? A greater focus on economic development from the North Koreans this year. Something that is not really mentioned in the media is that in April this year, there was a meeting in North Korea, And they announce they want to focus solely on economic development. And to do that, you need trade with the rest of the world. You need sanctions to be lifted. To do that, you need to reach a deal with America and other countries. It will give the other countries assurance. How significant is China on this issue? I think the China factor is important. We must not forget that China was involved In the Korean War supporting the North Korean side. And China was a signatory to the armistice agreement That led to a halt of the Korean War. So any kind of resolution to the Korean War, Two apiece 3C, Would require China's involvement. Is China going to want to do that? For their own trade wars with the United States. Can they separate those out? I think the way President Trump is working on his foreign policy, There is obviously a link between the US, China trade issue. I think in the last few months we have seen these kinds of trade-offs and agreements Being made from both sides. You give a little on this issue, I give a little on that issue. I think this is his way of engaging other countries like China as well. What happens if this does not work? If there is no agreement here? Someone is upset. The big fear is that when you meet at the highest level, the summit level, If things do not work out, where'd you go after that? It is the final decision given by the leaders. Peace is very fragile. Things can change fast. Even if both sides don't get exactly what they want, They should carry on talking and understanding each other's position. No one wants war and conflicts in this day and age. He is an expert on these relations and the Korean peninsula. That is all from me for now. Over the next few days. 1 News will bring you plenty on this. LOTS TO TALK ABOUT WITH THE PANEL. WE'LL HEAR FROM THEM AFTER THE BREAK. Let's bring in our panel to talk about all of this. I can't wait to see what their body language is like when they meet. Is this meeting purely enough? Is it deemed a success if they both turn up? We need a lot more to follow. This is just the beginning. Trump is smart enough to know this is worthwhile. Even just having the meeting, everyone will be analysing who came into the room. First, Who put out their hand first. Those in retirement have been pulled into rooms recently to examine everything the Koreans have been saying. Including the dinner with Mike Pompeo. Trump is going into this meeting extremely well prepared. Whether he sticks to the script is another thing. I think he just wants to let this roll along. As long as Kim does not walk out in a huff. If they both turn up, this is a huge diplomatic win for Trump. Yes, but then people say what is next? He needs money and food for his people. That will be a line that Trump people have to address. To get away from the nuclear eyes Asian issue. CORRECTION: Nuclearisation why does this work between the both of them? What is the chemistry? I think there are some erratic people on the US side. John Bolton, for example. But I think this opens up the possibility of a relationship. What is it that draws them to each other? I am not sure. It makes me think of Richard Nixon going to China in 1962, In a major diplomatic breakthrough. That was said at the time that only he could have done that. I do wonder if it would have been easy for president O Balmer. I think there is scepticism from some of the critics. Whether Obama or Clinton or anyone could have made a meeting with North Korea. They needed to be some early trade-offs by North Korea. One of the interviewers said that this is a different kind of way of doing it. They have not asked for much from Kim before getting to the table. While this is a win for Trump, this is a win for Kim as well. To be seen and a legitimate public space having a conversation with the leader of the free world. Is that why this works? Because he is interested in the deal? Trump has made his life on 'I do successful deals.' He wants it to be a success. It does not have to be immediate success. He also knows he has far more to offer to pull Kim Jong-un away from the nuclear issue Than anyone else can. Of course you have some nervous neighbours China, Japan. How is this going to play out? Is he going to say something stupid and leave us all hung out to dry? How likely do you think that is to happen? His ability to stick to a script is pretty limited. I would think the Korean experts are sitting there quite nervously. Hoping that he doesn't go in certain directions. Having Mike Pompeo and John Bolton on the sides of him giving mixed messages. This is in a neutral space in Singapore. for New Zealand, is this the sort of thing we could do in future? Be a media or broker. Do you think we have geographical issues? People may be not willing to travel quite as far. We are further away, but sometimes that is a benefit. What about the idea of a Nobel Peace Prize for trunk? CORRECTION: Trump. I was a bit disappointed when O Barnett got the Nobel Peace Prize for just being president. It kind of lost its gold standard. At that point. Not that Obama did not do a good job of being president. I tend to put it off to one side. What do you think? Let's wait and see. I think this will be a slow process. I do not think we will denuclearisation immediately. What's your take on this Jennifer? For many people it will be a bitter pill to swallow. I think it is too soon to call it. I would not put money on it. I do think that whatever happens, Trump with his ability to spin, That he will walk back to America and he will have a message that whatever has happened in that room, That he has won. And he will milk this through to the midterms. If he has got both of them to the table, Hasn't he won? He has not really had to face the North Koreans yet. They have been through this issue for a long time. They play a very, very hard game. A very dishonest game invariably. They play very differently. Will he be ready for that? But isn't at this character of Donald Trump and this character of the North Korean leader? Might they strike up some kind of friendship? If Kim really wants what his people need, which is food and money, He may be able to give up more. BEFORE WE GO TO THE BREAK, CORIN'S BUSINESS PODCAST IS A GOOD LISTEN THIS WEEK IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ETHICAL INVESTING. SAM STUBBS TALKS ABOUT WHY HIS SIMPLICITY KIWISAVER FUND WILL BE GETTING OUT OF SO-CALLED 'SIN STOCKS' ` FOSSIL FUEL EXTRACTION, MILITARY AND CIVILIAN WEAPONS, PORN, GAMBLING AND CASINOS AND ALCOHOL. AND HE HAS SOME FIRM IDEAS ABOUT WHAT KIWISAVER FUNDS SHOULD BE INVESTING IN. IF YOU LOOK GLOBALLY, THE COUNTRIES WHERE GOVERNMENT GETS INVOLVED IN THE INVESTING OF LOCAL SUPERANNUATION MONEY INTO INFRASTRUCTURE, YOU GET INCREDIBLE SUCCESS. SINGAPORE'S A PLACE YOU'RE GOING TO PRETTY SOON. THAT'S A CLASSIC EXAMPLE GLOBALLY OF HOW THAT WORKS SUCCESSFULLY, WHERE MOST OF THE BIG INFRASTRUCTURE IS FUNDED BY DOMESTIC PENSION FUNDS. BUT IT'S THE GOVERNMENT AND THE INVESTORS WORKING TOGETHER. IF YOU HAVE A LOOK AT PLACES LIKE SCANDINAVIA, AND EVEN JUST HOP ACROSS THE DITCH TO AUSSIE, WHERE YOU'VE SEEN HUGE LOCAL INVESTMENT OF THEIR SUPERANNUATION FUNDS IN THEIR LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE. BUT YOU CAN ALSO SEE EXAMPLES OF WHERE IT'S WASTED AND SQUANDERED. AND IF YOU HAVE A LOOK AT A LOT OF PLACES, LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE MIDDLE EAST, WHERE YOU'VE HAD WINDFALLS OF MONEY, AND IT'S BEEN, BASICALLY, MISAPPLIED, BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT GIVEN THE RIGHT SIGNALS. AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO MORE OF CORIN'S INTERVIEW WITH SAM STUBBS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND OUR WEBSITE ` TVNZ.CO.NZ WE LOOK BACK IN OUR POLITICAL HISTORY AFTER THE BREAK. AS WELL AS NATIONAL'S DAN BIDOIS, WHO IS HEADING TO PARLIAMENT AFTER WINNING NORTHCOTE BY MORE THAN 1300 VOTES. HE JOINS ME NEXT. Congratulations. When did you realise it was yours? Probably when my opposition rang me to concede. I want to acknowledge him, and the Labour Party. What time did he call you? I can't remember. About the 80 percent mark. I am humbled by the turnout of voters. I want to say a big thanks to the people of Northcote. Is there a moment where you think, "I am going to be a member of Parliament." I am so pleased to be here. Northcote is a fantastic part of Auckland to represent. I have an amazing view of the city. It is a great electorate to represent. I am excited to be their local MP. It is a safe national seat. Were you disappointed in that margin? It has not shifted a lot from Jonathan Coleman. It is not a safe national seat, you have to work hard. You have to work hard and the electorate rewards you if you work hard. I want to say a big thank you to the people in Northcote for supporting me. You have had a successful career overseas. Why politics? I have been given so much opportunity. Growing up in my home city of Auckland, and I have always wanted the opportunity to give back. It is just making a difference. Some people would say come back, make your fortune and then maybe go into politics later. Why now? Life is short. If you want to make a difference, you never know how long you will live. I had cancer. As a child, and that taught me. You have to value every day. I am humbled to be given the opportunity to represent Northcote. Thank you for being here. We will bring the panel in now. I think National will be relieved by the outcome. No one was really sure what would happen in this by-election. Labour has done well too. The Greens have probably done less well. I was a first time in that candidate 49 years ago. It is a pretty good seat. This man has done extremely well. I think his vote indicates that the party is in pretty good shape. I think it is great for National. they have a capable new MP. I think the gap will be of concern for national and heartening for labour. AS THE PRIME MINISTER PREPARES TO TAKE HER MATERNITY LEAVE, IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO THAT WOMEN MPS WERE STILL PUSHING TO OVERTURN SOME LONG HELD CONVENTIONS THAT MADE PARENTING AT PARLIAMENT DIFFICULT. NEW MOTHERS CAN NOW BREASTFEED IN THE CHAMBER, THANKS TO RECENTLY AMENDED RULES. BUT BACK IN 1983, A SPECIAL ROOM HAD TO BE SET UP NEARBY FOR NATIONAL'S RUTH RICHARDSON. THEY CALL IT SIBERIA ` THIS OUTPOST OF PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS ` COUNTLESS CORNERS AND CORRIDORS FROM THE CENTRE OF ACTION. BUT IT'S HERE THAT AN OLD OPPOSITION OFFICE HAS BEEN TURNED TO PREVIOUSLY UNGENTILED USE. RUTH RICHARDSON HASN'T REALLY FORGIVEN THE OPPOSITION FOR NOT GRANTING HER AUTOMATIC LEAVE OF ABSENCE UNTIL HER BABY'S WEANED, BUT SHE IS SATISFIED AT LAST SHE HAS A PLACE WHERE LUCY AND HER FULL-TIME NANNY CAN KEEP A FEW OF THE TRAPPINGS OF HOME AND THE GIFTS OF COLLEAGUES, LIKE THE GEORGE GEAR TEDDY BEAR ` BLUE, NATURALLY. CIRCUMSTANCES DICTATE DURING THE FIRST SESSION THAT SHE MUST BE HERE SO THAT MY VOTE MAINTAINS FOR THE GOVERNMENT ITS MAJORITY. AS SOON AS THE FIRST SESSION ENDS, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS. AND AS FOR LUCY, SHE'S EITHER BLISSFULLY HAPPY WITH THE NEW ARRANGEMENT OR AT LEAST SHE'S DECIDED TO KEEP HER THOUGHTS TO HERSELF. MARAE IS NEXT. REMEMBER, Q+A REPEATS TONIGHT AT 11.30. THANKS FOR WATCHING AND THANKS FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS. THOSE WERE THE QUESTIONS AND THOSE WERE THE ANSWERS. THAT'S Q+A. SEE YOU NEXT SUNDAY MORNING AT 9.