Thank you for your welcome.
What a pleasure it is to be speaking to you in what I still think of as my home town.
I had a good Kiwi upbringing here in Christchurch. I grew up in Hollyford Ave, just down the road from here. I attended the local schools. I played in the local streets and parks.
I was mad on sport, particularly squash, which I played next door for the Burnside Squash Club. I also played rugby for this very club, as a hooker and a halfback. I was no Justin Marshall. In fact, I think it's safe to say that no matter how big Graham Henry's rotation gets, I won't be going to the World Cup.
Six years ago I made one of the most important decisions in my life: to leave a successful career in finance to stand for Parliament. It was a decision that brought with it changes, not only for me but also for my wife, Bronagh, and our young family. I thank them today for their continuing love and support.
For me, politics is not about the pursuit of power for the sake of it. Unlike some, I won't measure the s