Shock: NZ prime minister stands down

By Ewan McDonald

John Key, who has surprisingly resigned as New Zealand's prime minister after eight years.
John Key, who has surprisingly resigned as New Zealand's prime minister after eight years.
One year out from election, John Key walks away from NZ's top job in a shock decision

John Key is resigning as Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Key made the announcement at his weekly press conference this afternoon.

He said his wife Bronagh had asked him to resign.

Key, his voice shaking with emotion, said he told his Cabinet of his decision this morning.

“This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made and I don’t know what I’ll do next.”

Key cited family reasons for leaving, saying the job had required great sacrifices “from those who are dearest to me”.

His wife Bronagh had endured “many lonely nights” and his children Stephie and Max had been put under “extraordinary levels of intrusion”.

Key met Bronagh while attending Burnside High School. The pair married in 1984.

Finance minister and deputy prime minister Bill English is expected to take over and economic development minister Steven Joyce is expected to take on the finance role.

National Party MPs will meet next Monday to decide the new prime minister.

Key said he would support whoever the caucus chose, but he endorsed Bill English as his replacement.

“There’s no way I could have served out a full fourth term,” said Key.

Being a politician had always come at a cost for his family.

Key said leaders seemed to stay too long and he felt this was the opportunity to go out on top.

He said he didn’t have any plans. He was looking forward to enjoying a slightly quieter life in which he would take posts on boards and spend time travelling with his wife.

He also said it was the right time to leave, as National was polling at nearly 50 per cent and the economy was growing.

NZ First Leader Winston Peters said of the resignation: “The fact is that the economy is not in the healthy state that the Prime Minister has for so long claimed, and there are other issues which have caused this decision as well.

“The New Zealand public should have been informed of this a long time ago.

“Clearly the prime minister does not believe the superficial polls any longer.

“Contrary to certain perceptions the prime minister and his finance minister are unable to muddy the waters anymore.”

Key has led National since 2006. He built a career in foreign exchange in New Zealand before continued success in the industry overseas.

He entered Parliament in 2002 as National’s representative for Helensville. In 2004 he was appointed finance spokesman and succeeded Don Brash as leader in 2006.

Key led his party to win the election in November 2008 and repeated the victory in 2011 and 2014.

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