It was a hard decision to leave now, when I believe we will be back in Government pushing further and faster next term. But I'm going because all I want to do is spend time with my family and be closer to nature. I lost my mum and my brother-in-law Stephen Nicholls last year. They were both big supports and having loved ones pass makes one re-evaluate your life. As a family, we have moved to Kamau Taurua / Quarantine Island. In the midst of a global pandemic, Quarantine Island does sound pretty appealing. It's a taonga in the middle of the Otago Harbour, and we're the only permanent residents there on this amazing ecological reserve. I plan to do some research, some writing, and take a more hands-on approach to environmental protection.