Helen Clark

“There is also a marked global trend towards sustainable agriculture, building on traditional methods which use fewer chemical inputs, carefully manage soil and water resources, and work hand-in-hand with nature.”

“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.”

“We don't want to deal with a separatist party.”

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

“I think the issue of North Korea is one where the international community as a whole has to work to resolve the crisis.”

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

“Of course I have an opinion on many things but I don't micromanage.”

“Well, we don't think for a moment that either the U.S. or Australia are out to damage the New Zealand economy, but if there were a sustained period in which they had a free-trade agreement and New Zealand didn't have that same arrangement with the States, that could be both trade- and investment-distorting.”

“Fortunately New Zealand doesn't have land borders so we are able to be somewhat more rigorous on who gets in and out of our country than perhaps some people.”

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

“Although biodiversity loss continues globally, many countries are significantly slowing the rate of loss by shoring up protected natural areas and the services they provide, and in expanding national park systems with tighter management and more secure funding.”

“Well of course New Zealand isn't anti-American.”

“Business can talk itself into a blue funk.”

“'Never look back' is my philosophy.”

“We just sent our condolences to the President of the United States and the American people on what is a terrible, terrible tragedy.”

“We're a nation in search of an identity, but it's quite exciting. I don't regard it as a problem. It's a challenge.”

“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.”

“If you neglect those who are currently poor and stable, you may create more poor and unstable people. There has been a tremendous concentration of donor interest in countries that are seen as particularly fragile - but it becomes harder to mobilise money for sub-Saharan, plain poor countries.”

“I don't know that you're ever going to persuade New Zealanders that they're not going to own their own homes and I'm not going to try.”

“Well in the end the world can crank itself up to sanctions, as it has with Zimbabwe, another sad case.”