I returned to New Zealand with partner Joanna and teenage son Harry in 2004. After living in the United States it was wonderful coming back to a New Zealand that is optimistic, confident, moving ahead on so many fronts, and sure of our place in the world. I think a lot of the credit for that goes to the Labour-led Government of Helen Clark. Labour's prudent economic management has delivered economic growth that has allowed overdue investment in our infrastructure, established the superannuation fund that will give security to New Zealanders when they retire, and allowed significant new investments in health and education.

My years with Oxfam taught me some fundamental lessons. The first was our common humanity, I met struggling families in the suburbs giving a monthly cheque to help people they'd never met on the other side of the world. The second was the courage and innovation of people who were up against the odds. I met Ethiopian farmers running their own micro-credit schemes so they could work their way out of hunger. And third, I became convinced that high performing societies need capable government that works for all citizens.

For all these reasons, I am campaigning to return Labour to government, and win the seat of North Shore. I grew up on the Shore. My Mum raised five of us at Albany. I went to primary school in Glenfield and did my high school years at Westlake Boys'. The Shore offers a great quality of life and unquestionable beauty but it is feeling the strains of rapid growth and development. I want to serve the people of North Shore and work with them to tackle these challenges.

Contact details:

Parliamentary Office
Address: Freepost PO Box 18 888, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160
Phone: 04 817 9118
Email: phil.twyford@parliament.govt.nz

Auckland Office
Address: 86 College Hill, PO Box 14-7543, Ponsonby, Auckland 1144
Phone: 09 360 1641
Email: barbara.ward@parliament.govt.nz