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{{short description|Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2008 to 2016}}{{other people}}{{good article}}{{pp-semi-blp|small=yes}}{{use New Zealand English|date=April 2013}}{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}

factoids

| image = File:John Key February 2015.jpg| alt = Head and shoulders of a smiling man in a dark suit and pale blue spotted tie| order = 38th| office = Prime Minister of New Zealand| monarch = Elizabeth IIGovernor-General}}| 1namedata = Sir Anand SatyanandSir Jerry MateparaeDame Patsy Reddy| deputy = Bill English| term_start = 19 November 2008| term_end = 12 December 2016| predecessor = Helen Clark| successor = Bill EnglishLeader of the Opposition (New Zealand)>Leader of the Opposition| deputy1 = Bill English| term_start1 = 27 November 2006| term_end1 = 19 November 2008| predecessor1 = Don Brash| successor1 = Phil GoffLeader of the New Zealand National Party>Leader of the National Party| deputy2 = Bill English| term_start2 = 27 November 2006| term_end2 = 12 December 2016| predecessor2 = Don Brash| successor2 = Bill English| office3 = Chair of the International Democrat Union| deputy3 = Tony Clement| term_start3 = 21 November 2014| term_end3 = 21 February 2018| predecessor3 = John Howard| successor3 = Stephen HarperHelensville (New Zealand electorate)>Helensville| parliament4 = New Zealand| term_start4 = 27 July 2002| term_end4 = 14 April 2017| predecessor4 = Constituency established| successor4 = Chris PenkPUBLISHER=ELECTORAL COMMISSION (NEW ZEALAND) >DATE=12 NOVEMBER 2008 URL-STATUS=DEAD ARCHIVE-DATE=21 JUNE 2009, | birth_name = John Phillip Key19619|df=y}}| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand| death_date = | death_place = New Zealand National Party>NationalBronagh Dougan|1984}}| children = 2

• George Key
• Ruth Lazar

{edih}University of Canterbury (Bachelor of Commerce>BCom)| signature = John Key sig.svgjohnkey.co.nz|Official website}}| caption = Key in 2015| name = Sir John Key}}{{John Key sidebar}}Sir John Phillip Key {{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZM|AC}} (born 9 August 1961)NEWS, John Key celebrates birthday,weblink 5 August 2020, NZ Herald, 9 August 2010, en-NZ, is a New Zealand retired politician who served as the 38th prime minister of New Zealand from 2008 to 2016 and as leader of the New Zealand National Party from 2006 to 2016. After resigning from both posts in December 2016 and leaving politics, Key was appointed to the board of directors and role of chairman in several New Zealand corporations.After his father died when he was eight, Key was raised by his single mother in a state-house in the Christchurch suburb of Bryndwr. He attended the University of Canterbury and graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Commerce. He began a career in the foreign exchange market in New Zealand before moving overseas to work for Merrill Lynch, in which he became head of global foreign exchange in 1995, a position he would hold for six years. In 1999 he was appointed a member of the Foreign Exchange Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York until leaving in 2001. Key entered the New Zealand Parliament representing the Auckland electorate of Helensville as one of the few new National members of parliament in the election of 2002 following National's significant defeat of that year. In 2004, he was appointed Finance Spokesman for National and eventually succeeded Don Brash as the National Party leader in 2006. After two years as leader of the Opposition, Key led his party to victory at the November 2008 general election. He was subsequently sworn in as prime minister on 19 November 2008. The National government went on to win two more general elections under his leadership: in November 2011 and September 2014. Key was expected to contest for a fourth term of office at the 2017 general election, but on 5 December 2016 he resigned as prime minister and leader of the National Party.NEWS, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key announces resignation,weblink 5 December 2016, Stuff.co.nz, 5 December 2016, He was succeeded by Bill English on 12 December 2016.As prime minister, Key led the Fifth National Government of New Zealand which entered government at the beginning of the late-2000s recession in 2008. He was described as supporting both socially liberal and economically liberal policies. Key was worth an estimated USD$35 million in 2016, making him the wealthiest individual ever to assume the premiership. In his first term, Key's government implemented a GST rise and personal tax cuts, while enacting several austerity measures.WEB, Politics, Tracy Watkins-, 23 May 2012, Kiwis are tolerating moderate austerity,weblink 17 July 2022, Stuff, en, His government refused to renew license agreements for multiple television channels, including TVNZ 6, TVNZ 7, Kidzone and Heartland, while reducing funding for Radio New Zealand in real terms.WEB, SMALL, VERNON, 8 July 2012, Austerity has outgrown its welcome,weblink 17 July 2022, Stuff, en, In February 2011, after a major earthquake in Christchurch the nation's second largest city significantly affected the national economy, the government formed the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority. In its second term, Key's government implemented a policy of partial privatisation of five state-owned enterprises, while voters in a citizens-initiated referendum on the issue were 2 to 1 opposed to the policy. He also faced a severe housing crisis, especially in Auckland, and was widely criticised for a perceived lack of action.WEB, Sachdeva, Sam, 24 May 2016, John Key says no Auckland housing crisis, but 76 per cent of voters want more action,weblink 17 July 2022, Stuff, en, In foreign policy, Key withdrew New Zealand Defence Force personnel from their deployment in the war in Afghanistan, signed the Wellington Declaration with the United States and pushed for more nations to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Early life and education

Key was born in Auckland to George Key (1914–1969)WEB,weblink John Key's Family Tree, New Zealand Herald, 17 August 2014, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140606050437weblink">weblink 6 June 2014, dmy-all, and Ruth Key (née Lazar; 1922–2000) on 9 August 1961. His father was an English immigrant and a veteran of the Spanish Civil War and World War II, who died of a heart attack when his son was eight years old.NEWS, Long-lost half-brothers Key has never met,weblink The New Zealand Herald, 19 July 2008, 18 June 2015, 1170-0777, en, WEB, Survivor who escaped the Holocaust,weblink 2023-01-29, NZ Herald, en-NZ, Key and his two sisters were raised in a state house in the Christchurch suburb of Bryndwr by his mother, an Austrian-Jewish refugee who escaped the Holocaust.NEWS,weblink Politics: John Key – A snapshot, Sunday Star Times, 31 January 2009, 21 June 2019, NEWS, Bevan, Rapson, 26 April 2005, Golden boy,weblink Metro Magazine, 286, 28 February 2008, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20080726082506weblink">weblink 26 July 2008, WEB, John Key speaks about his Jewish mother {{!, One Community |url=https://1.org.nz/john-key-speaks-about-his-jewish-mother/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=1.org.nz}} Key is the third prime minister or premier of New Zealand to have Jewish ancestry, after Julius Vogel and Francis Bell.WEB,weblink New Zealand gets third Jewish prime minister, The Jerusalem Post, 9 November 2008, 13 June 2010, He attended Aorangi School,NEWS,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20091125160742weblink">weblink dead, 25 November 2009, Christchurch's Aorangi School to close, 24 November 2009, Television New Zealand, 8 March 2010, Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced that Prime Minister John Key's former primary school, Aorangi School in Christchurch, will close in January., and then Burnside High School from 1975 to 1979,BOOK, O’Connor, Paul, Choosing the Right Path: Burnside High School 1960–2010, 2009, Silver Fox Publishing, Christchurch, 978-0-473-15685-5, 198–199, where he met his wife, Bronagh. He went on to attend the University of Canterbury and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting in 1981. He also attended management studies courses at Harvard University.NEWS,weblink Profile: John Key, Maggie, Tait, The New Zealand Herald, 27 November 2006, 26 November 2021,

Career before politics

Key's first job was as an auditor at McCulloch Menzies in 1982. He then became a project manager at Christchurch-based clothing manufacturer Lane Walker Rudkin for two years.NEWS,weblink My Job: John Key, Leader of the National Party, The New Zealand Herald, 12 January 2008, 13 June 2010, Donna, McIntyre, 30 November 2019,weblink dead, He began working as a foreign exchange dealer at Elders Finance in Wellington, and rose to the position of head foreign exchange trader two years later,NEWS,weblink Big Dealers, Close Up, 10 September 1987, NZ On Screen, 18 November 2011, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20111125021259weblink">weblink 25 November 2011, then moved to Auckland-based Bankers Trust in 1988.In 1995, he joined Merrill Lynch as head of Asian foreign exchange in Singapore. That same year he was promoted to Merrill's global head of foreign exchange, based in London, where he may have earned around US$2.25 million a year including bonuses, which is about NZ$5 million at 2001 exchange rates. Some co-workers called him "the smiling assassin" for maintaining his usual cheerfulness while sacking dozens (some say hundreds) of staff after heavy losses from the 1998 Russian financial crisis.NEWS, Who is John Key?,weblink Sunday Star Times, Gillian, Tett, Ruth, Laugesen, 3 February 2008, 28 February 2008,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20080424112607weblink">weblink 24 April 2008, dead, dmy-all, He was a member of the Foreign Exchange Committee of the New York Federal Reserve Bank from 1999 to 2001.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120203232218weblink">weblink dead, 3 February 2012, New Zealand Parliament – Key, John, 28 February 2008, In 1998, on learning of his interest in pursuing a political career, National Party president John Slater began working to recruit him. Former party leader Jenny Shipley describes him as one of the people she "deliberately sought out and put my head on the line–either privately or publicly–to get them in there".NEWS, Eugene, Bingham, Ambush in the West, 26 July 2008,weblink The New Zealand Herald, 13 November 2010,

Early political career

{{NZ parlbox header|align=left}}{hide}NZ parlbox }}{{NZ parlbox|start={{NZ election link year|2005}} }}{hide}NZ parlbox }}{hide}NZ parlbox }}{hide}NZ parlbox }}

Early years in Parliament

Auckland's population growth led to the formation for the 2002 general election of a new electorate called Helensville, which covered the north-western corner of the Auckland urban area.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070929092828weblink">weblink dead, 29 September 2007, Electorate Profile Helensville, New Zealand Parliament, Parliamentary Library, October 2005, 26 May 2010, Key beat long-serving National MP Brian Neeson (whose own Waitakere seat had moved on paper to being a Labour seat through the boundary changes) for the National Party Helensville selection. At the 2002 general election Key won the seat with a majority of 1,705, ahead of Labour's Gary Russell, with Neeson, now standing as an independent, coming third.WEB,weblink Official Count Results–Helensville, Electoral Commission (New Zealand), Electoral Commission, 10 August 2002, 13 June 2010, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100527010719weblink">weblink 27 May 2010, dmy-all, The National Party was heavily defeated in the 2002 election, receiving only 20.9% of the party vote – the party's worst-ever election result.NEWS,weblink John Key: The man who would be PM, Chateau, Eugene Bingham, Paula Oliver and Carroll du, 26 July 2008, NZ Herald, 8 July 2018, en-NZ, 1170-0777, Following the fallout, a leadership coup against the incumbent Bill English was launched by Don Brash, another of the 2002 recruits, in October 2003. English and his supporters offered Key the finance spokesman position for his vote and were confident they had the numbers with him on their side. Brash narrowly won 14 votes to 12 and at the time it was thought Key had changed his support to Brash. The votes were confidential, although later Key stated that he did vote for English.Key won re-election at the 2005 general election, garnering 63% of votes cast.WEB,weblink Official Count Results–Helensville, Electoral Commission (New Zealand), Electoral Commission, 1 November 2005, 23 August 2007, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100520215217weblink">weblink 20 May 2010, dmy-all, He increased his majority again in {{NZ election link year|2008}}, gaining 73% of the electorate vote.

Finance spokesman

The low numbers in the National caucus meant Key was given more opportunities and responsibilities than most new Members of Parliament would. After serving as deputy finance spokesman under Brash, Key was promoted to the Opposition front benches in 2004 as party spokesman for finance.WEB, John Key,weblink Ministry for Culture and Heritage, 6 September 2017, 12 December 2016, live,weblink 6 September 2017, Key was up against Michael Cullen, the Minister of Finance and a veteran of 23 years in parliament. There was concern he would be out of his depth going up against Cullen in his first term and there was talk among the party of trying to "protect" Key. During the 2005 election campaign political commentators felt Key matched Cullen in the debates, although he may have benefited from Labour focusing their campaign on discrediting Brash.Although Brash lost the election, Key remained as finance spokesman. He was promoted to number four on the list, partly due to his success at selling the party's tax package during the campaign.NEWS,weblink Profile: John Key, Tait, Maggie, 27 November 2006, NZ Herald, 8 July 2018, en-NZ, 1170-0777, While Keys ambition to become leader had been telegraphed from early in his political career, he was now beginning to rate highly on preferred prime minister polls. Rumours that Key was looking to take over the leadership circulated and there was an unofficial agreement between Brash and Key that he would be the natural successor.Things came to a head earlier than expected. In November 2006 Brash resigned as leader, citing damaging speculation over his future as the reason. Brash's resignation followed controversies over an extramarital affair, and over leaked internal National Party documents that were later published in the book The Hollow Men.NEWS, New Zealand Press Association, The New Zealand Herald Staff, Don Brash gone at lunchtime,weblink The New Zealand Herald, 23 November 2006, 9 June 2022, After months of speculation, Key stood for leadership of the party and was elected unopposed.NEWS, John Key resigns: 'It feels like the right time to go' / RNZ – RNZ,weblink 31 August 2017, Noted, en, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170831180053weblink">weblink 31 August 2017,

Leader of the Opposition

On becoming leader Key convinced Gerry Brownlee, deputy leader under Brash, to step aside and promoted his main rival English to deputy leader and finance spokesman. He showed a ruthless streak by unceremoniously pushing Brash out and refusing to allow another one of the 2002 recruits, Brian Connell, back into the caucus. In his maiden speech as National Party leader, Key spoke of an "underclass" that had been "allowed to develop" in New Zealand, a theme which received a large amount of media coverage.WEB,weblink Speech to North Shore National Party luncheon, Key, John, 28 November 2006, New Zealand National Party,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20071004223202weblink">weblink 4 October 2007, dead, 23 August 2007, Key followed up on this speech in February 2007 by committing his party to a programme which would provide food in the poorest schools in New Zealand.PRESS RELEASE, National launches its Food in Schools programme, 4 February 2007, New Zealand Government,weblink Key, John, 23 August 2007, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070930044558weblink">weblink 30 September 2007, In opposition he was instrumental in promoting National's change of policy regarding keeping superannuation and Kiwibank. He also supported interest-free student loans and early childhood education funding. He relented on his stance in opposition to Sue Bradford's Child Discipline Bill, which sought to remove "reasonable force" as a defence for parents charged with prima facie assault of their children.Compare: NEWS,weblink 78pc of parents say they'll still smack, The New Zealand Herald, 18 June 2007, 23 August 2007, 82 per cent thought [the new law] should be changed to state that parents who smacked their children to correct them were not breaking the law., 29 September 2007,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070929132226weblink">weblink dead, Key and Prime Minister Helen Clark agreed a compromise – giving police the discretion to overlook smacking they regarded as "inconsequential".NEWS, Colwill, Jennifer, The smacking bill – what it says, The New Zealand Herald, 2 May 2007,weblink 22 May 2007, 30 September 2007,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070930012352weblink">weblink dead, In August 2007 Key came in for criticism when he changed his position regarding the Therapeutic Products and Medicine Bill.NEWS,weblink John Armstrong: At last, Labour gets to give Key a good kicking, Armstrong, John, 2 August 2007, The New Zealand Herald, 23 August 2007, At the same time Labour's Trevor Mallard hinted in Parliament that Labour would try to link Key to the 1987 "H-Fee" scandal, which involved Key's former employer Elders Merchant Finance and a payment to Equiticorp Chief Executive Allan Hawkins. Hawkins and Elders executive Ken Jarrett were later jailed for fraud. Key declaring that he had left Elders months before the event, that he had no knowledge of the deal, and that his interview with the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) during the investigation into the affair could only have helped to convict the people involved. Then-SFO director Charles Sturt publicly supported Key's statement.NEWS, Trevett, Clare, Former SFO chief backs Key's claims, The New Zealand Herald, 25 August 2007,weblink 26 February 2008, NEWS, Long, Richard, Muck-rakers desperate for dirt, The Dominion Post (Wellington), The Dominion Post, Fairfax Media, Stuff.co.nz, 28 August 2007,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070930035717weblink">weblink 30 September 2007, dead,weblink 13 June 2010, Labour MPs criticised Key for not releasing specific policy information at their annual conference. Key responded that National would set its own policy agenda and that there was adequate time before the next election for voters to digest National Party policy proposals.NEWS,weblink John Key's policy: There'll be more, later, 3 August 2007, Paula, Oliver, The New Zealand Herald, 23 August 2007,

Prime Minister (2008–2016)

{{See also|Fifth National Government of New Zealand}}

factoids

First term: 2008–2011

(File:John Key and family.jpg|thumb|left|John Key (right), with (from left to right) son Max, wife Bronagh, and daughter Stephie, celebrating on election night, 8 November 2008)Key became prime minister following the general election on 8 November 2008, which signalled an end to the Labour-led government of nine years under Clark. The National Party won 45% of the party vote and 59 of the 122 seats in Parliament, overtaking the incumbent majority Labour Party.WEB, Final Results for the 2008 New Zealand General Election,weblink New Zealand Parliamentary Library, 8 July 2018, 24 December 2008, National negotiated with smaller parties to form a minority government with confidence and supply from the classical-liberal ACT Party, the centrist United Future and the indigenous-rights-based Māori Party.NEWS, History of coalition building under MMP,weblink 8 July 2018, The New Zealand Herald, 8 November 2008, en-NZ, Key was sworn in as prime minister and Minister of Tourism"Appointment of Ministers" (21 November 2008) 179 weblink" title="archive.today/20121220091415weblink">New Zealand Gazette 4634. and also appointed as a member of the Executive Council"Members of Executive Council Appointed" (21 November 2008) 179 weblink" title="archive.today/20121209124257weblink">New Zealand Gazette 4634. on 19 November 2008, along with his nominated cabinet.NEWS,weblink John Key announces he has numbers to govern, The New Zealand Herald, 16 November 2008, 17 November 2008, Grant, Fleming, He chose Bill English as his Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. During his first term in office National remained high in the polls and one commentator described support for Key as "stratospheric".WEB,weblink Key could do with element of doubt, The New Zealand Herald, 20 September 2014, In 2011 he was nicknamed "Teflon John" in the popular media, as nothing damaging to his reputation seemed to "stick" to him.WEB,weblink John Key, the 'smiling assassin' on course to win New Zealand's election, Paul, Chapman, The Telegraph, 26 November 2011, 6 September 2013, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140605094632weblink">weblink 5 June 2014, dmy-all, Key's government introduced several bold economic policies in response to the global economic downturn that began shortly after he took office. The government introduced a plan of personal tax cuts, reducing taxes on all income; the top personal tax rate was lowered from 39% to 38% and then 33%.NEWS,weblink Spend tax cut or give it to the needy: PM, The New Zealand Herald, Claire, Trevett, 19 March 2009, 25 January 2010, In its first budget the government raised the rate of Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 12.5% to 15%, despite Key previously stating that an increase would not happen under a National government.NEWS, PM defensive after video reveals GST flip-flop,weblink 8 July 2018, The New Zealand Herald, 10 February 2010, en-NZ, Key's government also enacted several austerity measures. His government declined to renew license agreements for multiple television channels, including TVNZ 6, TVNZ 7, Kidzone and Heartland, while reducing funding for Radio New Zealand in real terms.In January 2009, after addressing Chinese New Year celebrations at the Greenlane ASB Showgrounds, Key tripped after coming down a small set of stairs in front of cameras, leaving him with a broken right arm and "embarrassed".NEWS,weblink John Key says arm break 'very embarrassing', Trevett, Claire, 19 January 2009, The New Zealand Herald, 12 September 2011, Later that year, when arriving at the Ngāpuhi Te Tii Waitangi Marae the day before Waitangi Day, Key was briefly shoved and grabbed by two protesters before diplomatic protection officers pulled them off. He told reporters he was "quite shocked" but continued onto the marae and spoke, while police took the two men away and charged them with assault.NEWS,weblink Protesters attack New Zealand PM, 5 February 2009, BBC News, 5 February 2009, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090206192156weblink">weblink 6 February 2009, NEWS,weblink Protester grabs NZ leader at indigenous ceremony, 5 February 2009, Associated Press, CBS News,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20101116101150weblink">weblink 16 November 2010, dead, 13 June 2010, Key was tied with the National Cycleway Project since its conception at the national Job Summit in early 2009. He proposed it, and as Minister for Tourism, was instrumental in getting NZ$50 million approved for initial construction work.NEWS,weblink Cycleway gets $50m – now a series of 'Great Rides' says Key, Daniels, Chris, 14 May 2009, The New Zealand Herald, 7 October 2011, File:John Key with Obamas.jpg|thumb|left|John and Bronagh Key with Barack and Michelle Obama at the Metropolitan MuseumMetropolitan MuseumKey launched New Zealand's campaign for a Security Council seat at the UN General Assembly meeting in September 2009.NEWS, NZ to seek Security Council seat, Key tells UN,weblink 26 September 2009, 13 June 2010, The New Zealand Herald, Maggie, Tait, He met briefly with US President Barack Obama and former US President Bill Clinton. While in New York City, Key appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. He read out the Top Ten list, 'Top Ten Reasons You Should Visit New Zealand'.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090926200432weblink">weblink dead, 26 September 2009, John Key on David Letterman, ONE News, New Zealand Press Association, Television New Zealand, 25 September 2009, 13 June 2010, One News (New Zealand), In foreign policy, Key supported closer relations with the United States, an ANZUS defence partner. On 4 November 2010, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully signed the Wellington Declaration. The agreement signalled an increase in the strategic partnership between the two nations and covered areas of co-operation including nuclear proliferation, climate change and terrorism.NEWS,weblink Full text of the Wellington Declaration, 4 November 2010, NZPA, Stuff.co.nz, 30 October 2011, This was followed in June 2012 by a companion document, the Washington Declaration.WEB, US-NZ defence arrangement signed,weblink The Beehive, 11 November 2016, 20 June 2012, live,weblink 12 November 2016, Since 2008 Key has also engaged in Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations with the United States and other Asia-Pacific economies.WEB, TPP has momentum says Prime Minister,weblink The Beehive, 11 November 2016, 14 November 2010, live,weblink 12 November 2016, On 22 February 2011 a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, causing widespread damage to the city region and significantly affecting the national economy. It was New Zealand's third deadliest natural disaster, killing 185 people.WEB,weblink Official quake toll rises to 185, 9 February 2012, Stuff.co, 9 February 2012, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120313164254weblink">weblink 13 March 2012, dmy-all, WEB,weblink List of deceased â€“ Christchurch earthquake, New Zealand Police, 8 September 2011, 26 December 2011, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120830213739weblink">weblink 30 August 2012, dmy-all, Addressing the nation, Key said that the disaster "...may well be New Zealand's darkest day".NEWS, Manhire, Toby, Christchurch earthquake: at least 65 dead and 100 trapped in 'darkest day',weblink 29 August 2016, The Guardian, 22 February 2011, live,weblink 23 September 2016, NEWS, New Zealand faces its 'darkest day' after 6.3 quake,weblink 29 August 2016, BBC News, 22 February 2011, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20111228213243weblink">weblink 28 December 2011, On 29 March 2011, Key created the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) to manage the earthquake recovery, co-operating with the government, local councils and residents.NEWS,weblink Christchurch will be 'world's most quake-safe city', Donnell, Hayden, 29 March 2011, New Zealand Herald, APN Holdings, 29 March 2011, On 8 March 2011, John Key advised Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand to appoint Jerry Mateparae as the next Governor-General of New Zealand.WEB,weblink Prime Minister Welcomes Jerry Mateparae as next Governor-General, Scoop.co.nz, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (New Zealand), Prime Minister's Office, 8 March 2011, 8 March 2011, The Queen made the appointment later that day.WEB,weblink Appointment of New Governor-General of New Zealand, 8 March 2011, 8 March 2011, Queen Elizabeth II, In October 2011, Key was caught up in a controversy over the replacement of 34 three-year-old Government BMW limousines with new ones at a time of economic restraint. Initially, Key denied any knowledge of the plan, although reports later surfaced showing that his office was aware of the deal. Political opponents accused Key and his government of hypocrisy; he later apologised, calling it a "sloppy" deal, effectively placing most of the blame on his chief of staff.NEWS,weblink Limo deal sloppy: Key, 21 February 2011, NZPA, Otago Daily Times, 7 October 2011, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110806193618weblink">weblink 6 August 2011, dmy-all, NEWS,weblink Mea culpa a bid to save brand, Armstrong, John, 22 February 2011, The New Zealand Herald, 7 October 2011, Shortly before the general election in November 2011, a recording was made of a conversation between Key and ACT Party candidate John Banks that they considered private – though the conversation took place in a public cafe.NEWS,weblink The New Zealand Herald, Derek, Cheng, Tea tape: Police execute warrants, 23 November 2011, Key made a complaint to the police and compared the incident to illegal phone hacking in the News of the World scandal in Britain.WEB,weblink Key's News of the World 'cheap shot', The New Zealand Herald, 20 September 2014, The recording allegedly concerned the leadership of ACT and disparaging remarks about elderly New Zealand First supporters.NEWS,weblink The New Zealand Herald, John, Armstrong, 'Teapot tape' could nail lid to Act coffin, 16 November 2011, Journalists and opposition parties demanded the release of the tapes and the affair was nicknamed 'teapot tape'. A senior barrister criticised Key, stating that the comparison of the recording to the phone hacking scandal was a "cheap shot".Statements made by Key regarding New Zealand's national credit rating proved controversial. In October 2011 he claimed that Standard & Poor's (S&P) had said that "if there was a change of Government, that downgrade would be much more likely". S&P contradicted the claim, bringing Key's credibility into question.NEWS,weblink The New Zealand Herald, Audrey, Young, S&P contradicts Key downgrade claim, 10 October 2011, NEWS,weblink The New Zealand Herald, John, Armstrong, Key's credibility takes a hit, 11 October 2011, National won the election, but New Zealand's credit rating was subsequently downgraded anyway – by two different agencies – Standard and Poor's and Fitch Group.WEB,weblink Key can't rule out Moody's downgrade, The New Zealand Herald, 20 September 2014,

Second term: 2011–2014

File:Sir Jerry Mateparae and John Key.jpg|thumb|Sir Jerry MateparaeJerry MateparaeThe general election on 26 November 2011 saw National increase its share of the vote and gain a seat, while Labour suffered further losses.WEB,weblink National defies the pundits, The New Zealand Herald, 20 September 2014, Key called the election a "very happy night" and a "strong and solid win" for his party.WEB, Key to hold confidence and supply talks,weblink Stuff.co.nz, 29 August 2016, en, 27 November 2011, The Prime Minister re-negotiated confidence and supply agreements with United Future,WEB, Key signs deals with United Future and ACT,weblink Radio New Zealand, 30 August 2016, 5 December 2011, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160913102938weblink">weblink 13 September 2016, the ACT Party and the Māori Party,WEB, Nats and Maori Party sign,weblink The New Zealand Herald, 30 August 2016, 11 December 2011, to secure a second term of government.In 2012, Key was implicated in the arrest of Kim Dotcom and the subsequent revelations that the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) had illegally spied on Dotcom.WEB, Vance, Andrea, GCSB acted illegally on Kim Dotcom,weblink Stuff.co.nz, 29 August 2016, en, 29 August 2013, As prime minister, Key was directly responsible for the GCSB,WEB,weblink Dotcom: Illegal spying revealed, The New Zealand Herald, 20 September 2014, which is not allowed to spy on New Zealand citizens – and Dotcom had been granted permanent residency. Three days later, Key apologised for the illegal spying. "I apologize to Mr Dotcom. I apologize to New Zealanders because every New Zealander…is entitled to be protected from the law when it comes to the GCSB, and we failed to provide that appropriate protection for him."NEWS, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key Apologizes To Kim Dotcom, Says Spying Was Illegal,weblink 27 September 2012, 27 September 2012, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120929222038weblink">weblink 29 September 2012, dmy-all, It subsequently came to light that Deputy Prime Minister Bill English had been asked by the GCSB to sign a "ministerial certificate" suppressing details of the bureau's involvement in the case while Key was overseas – the only time this had been done in the last ten years.NEWS, Spy agency's secrecy order one-in-10-year case,weblink The New Zealand Herald, 4 December 2012, 18 June 2015, 1170-0777, en, David, Fisher, The fallout from Dotcom's arrest continued in December when the High Court ordered the GCSB to "confirm all entities" to which it gave information, opening the door for Dotcom to sue for damages – against the spy agency and the police.WEB,weblink Dotcom can pursue case against police, The New Zealand Herald, 20 September 2014, Later that month, Key's rating as preferred PM dropped to 39% – the first time in his four years as prime minister that his rating had slipped below 40%.NEWS, Polls have Labour closing in on Nats,weblink Stuff.co.nz, 3 December 2012, 18 June 2015, Vernon, Small, Daly, Michael, It emerged that Key had known Ian Fletcher, head of the GCSB, since they were at school, but Key denied he had 'shoulder-tapped' Fletcher for the role. Later Key's office released a statement saying he rang Fletcher and recommended he apply for the position at GCSB.NEWS,weblinkweblink" title="archive.today/20130413224134weblink">weblink dead, 13 April 2013, 3 News NZ, Key admits Fletcher shoulder-tap, 3 April 2013, Key said he hadn't originally mentioned the phone call because he "forgot".NEWS,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140112035626weblink">weblink dead, 12 January 2014, 3 News NZ, Key's faulty memory on GCSB an 'excuse', 4 April 2013, Political commentator Bryce Edwards called it the "most appalling political management since he became Prime Minister back in 2008".NEWS,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130412164327weblink">weblink dead, 12 April 2013, 3 News NZ, John Key: The honeymoon 'is over', 8 April 2013, Key continued New Zealand's push for a spot on the UN Security Council while in New York in 2013.WEB,weblink Key lobbying for NZ at UN General Assembly, Patrick Gower, 20 September 2014, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130928141735weblink">weblink 28 September 2013, WEB,weblink NZ UN seat campaign run 'on a shoe string', The New Zealand Herald, 20 September 2014, There he accused rival candidates Spain and Turkey of using aid money to buy votes from small African countries, and said New Zealand would not be spending its way onto the Council.WEB,weblink UN Security Council 'bribery' just plain wrong, Patrick Gower, 20 September 2014, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130928141739weblink">weblink 28 September 2013, WEB,weblink Key in 'honest broker' pitch to UN, Stuff, 23 September 2013, 20 September 2014, While in New York, Key suddenly fell ill, but recovered in time for meetings with representatives from other countries ahead of the General Assembly.WEB,weblink John Key sick before spying talks, Patrick Gower, 20 September 2014, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130928141732weblink">weblink 28 September 2013, In April 2013, whilst visiting Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing, Key made headlines by suggesting New Zealand would back any United States or Australian military action against North Korea.NEWS,weblink 3 News NZ, Key in China heeds NKorea threats, 7 April 2013, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131017015456weblink">weblink 17 October 2013, dmy-all, The following day he backtracked, saying the chance of New Zealand troops entering North Korea was "so far off the planet".NEWS,weblink 3 News NZ, Key backs off South Korea war remarks, 8 April 2013, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130719044516weblink">weblink 19 July 2013, dmy-all,

Third term: 2014–2016

File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi in conversation with Prime Minister John Key of New Zealand.jpg|thumb|Key with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra ModiNarendra ModiThe general election on 20 September 2014 saw the National Government returned again. National won a plurality with 47.0% of the party vote and 60 of the 121 seats. On election night counts the party appeared to hold the first majority since 1994 with 61 seats, but lost a list seat (for Maureen Pugh) to the Green Party on the official count (including special votes) of the party vote.NEWS, Hamish, Rutherford, 4 October 2014, National loses majority, Greens pick up one,weblink Fairfax NZ News, 4 October 2014, National re-entered a confidence and supply arrangement with United Future, the ACT Party and the Māori Party.NEWS, Issac, Davison, 29 September 2014, Dunne deal: United Future signs agreement with National-led govt,weblink The New Zealand Herald, 29 September 2014, NEWS, Adam, Bennett, 5 October 2014, National signs deal with Maori Party,weblink The New Zealand Herald, 5 October 2014, NEWS, Issac, Davison, 29 September 2014, Act deal: No portfolio for David Seymour,weblink The New Zealand Herald, 29 September 2014, In October, Key created a new ministerial portfolio called the Minister of National Security and Intelligence to serve the newly established Cabinet National Security Committee.NEWS, National Security and Intelligence role created,weblink Scoop Media, New Zealand, 6 October 2014, 7 October 2014, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20141007124939weblink">weblink 7 October 2014, The Prime Minister assumed the new portfolio while the Attorney General Christopher Finlayson became Minister Responsible for the GCSB and Minister in Charge of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS), portfolios which have traditionally been held by a prime minister.WEB , In April 2015, Key acknowledged that he had pulled a waitress' ponytail multiple times over several months;NEWS,weblink New Zealand Prime Minister Apologizes for Ponytail Pulling, Associated Press, New York Times, 21 April 2015, 5 August 2015, when Key learnt she had taken offence, he apologised. International media reported the incident as "ponytail-gate".WEB, Ponytail-pulling PM makes world headlines,weblink Stuff.co.nz, 18 June 2015, 23 April 2015, Key had long supported changing the flag of New Zealand, and during the 2014 general election campaign promised a referendum on the issue.NEWS, Kiwis could vote on flag next year,weblink Stuff.co.nz, 22 September 2014, 18 June 2015, Following the election win, two New Zealand flag referendums were held in November/December 2015 and March 2016. The second resulted in the retention of the current flag.WEB, 'Wasteful vanity project' and 'starry-eyed sheep' – How world reacted to flag result,weblink New Zealand Herald, 25 October 2016, Critics (both national and international) charged that the referendums were unnecessary, expensive and a "wasteful vanity project".The New Zealand housing crisis took hold substantially following Key's third term. From the time Key took office until the year he left, average housing prices had more than doubled.WEB, 6 July 2016, Housing 'challenge' still not a 'crisis',weblink 18 July 2022, RNZ, en-nz, Key repeatedly refused to call the property bubble a crisis, claiming it instead was a "challenge". The prime minister was challenged over his criticism of Helen Clark's government's response to the housing crisis during the 2008 campaign, but reluctance to take a stand now it had worsened considerably. A Newshub poll released in May 2016 showed that 76% of New Zealanders felt the government was not doing enough to control the housing market, while only 20 per cent thought it had housing under control.WEB, Sachdeva, Sam, 24 May 2016, John Key says no Auckland housing crisis, but 76 per cent of voters want more action,weblink 18 July 2022, Stuff, en, File:Secretary of State John Kerry visit to New Zealand, November 9 - 13, 2016 (30946830275).jpg|thumb|upright|U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets Key at Premier HousePremier HouseInternational trade and the negotiation of free-trade agreements were a priority in Key's third term. He was a leading advocate of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), also supporting the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPSEP). Both agreements provide for a multilateral free-trade area in the Asia–Pacific region. In a September 2016 speech to the Council of Foreign Relations, Key said "[TPP] will boost our economy by at least $2.7 billion a year by 2030. It will help diversify our economy and create more jobs and higher incomes for New Zealanders".WEB, PM reinforces TPP benefits in New York,weblink The Beehive, 11 November 2016, 20 September 2016, live,weblink 12 November 2016, Key was particularly intent on securing the participation of the United States in the agreement; to this end, he discussed TPP with President Barack Obama in April 2016,NEWS, Young, Audrey, John Key catches up with Obama in Washington,weblink 5 June 2017, The New Zealand Herald, 1 April 2016, en-NZ, and hosted Secretary of State John Kerry in Wellington, 9–13 November 2016.NEWS, Moir, Jo, US Secretary of State John Kerry meets with John Key in Wellington with the future of TPPA on the line,weblink 13 November 2016, 5 June 2017, Stuff.co.nz, The finalised TPP proposal was signed on 4 February 2016 in Auckland, concluding seven years of negotiations.WEB, How TPP Countries Will Ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership,weblink ecat, 11 November 2016, 10 March 2016, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20161112025741weblink">weblink 12 November 2016, In January 2017, US President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum to withdrawing the United States' signature from the agreement, making its ratification virtually impossible.NEWS,weblink Trump signs order withdrawing from TPP, reinstate 'Mexico City policy' on abortion, 23 January 2017, CNN.com, In February 2016, Key reached an agreement with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to grant New Zealanders living in Australia a pathway to citizenship if they were earning five times over the average wage.{{sfn|Roughan|2017|p=251-52}} As a result of this agreement, the Australian Government introduced the "Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)" in July 2017 to fast-track the Australian citizenship naturalisation process for New Zealanders living in Australia. New Zealanders living in Australia for at least five years and earning an annual income over A$53,900 were eligible for the visa. By late February 2018, 1,512 Subclass 189 visas had been issued.NEWS, Karp, Paul, Visa pathway for New Zealanders resident in Australia will cut migrant intake,weblink 20 July 2018, The Guardian, 13 April 1018, NEWS, Goethe-Snape, Jackson, Government's immigration tweak sees overseas Asians out, integrated Kiwis in,weblink 20 July 2018, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 13 April 2018, However, this visa scheme was criticised by the "Ozkiwi lobby" since two-thirds of New Zealanders living in Australia did not meet the qualifying wage.{{sfn|Roughan|2017|p=252}}In March 2016, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, approved the appointment of Dame Patsy Reddy as the next Governor-General of New Zealand, for a five-year term starting in September 2016, on the advice of John Key.PRESS RELEASE,weblink PM welcomes Dame Patsy Reddy as the next Governor-General, beehive.govt.nz, 22 March 2016, John, Key, Key resigned as prime minister and leader of the National Party effective from 12 December 2016, and instructed the party to put into motion the processes to elect a new leader. He expressed interest in spending more time with his family, stating that he had "never seen [himself] as a career politician" and that "this feels the right time to go". Media reports described the decision as unexpected, and noted the popularity of Key and his party.WEB, New Zealand prime minister John Key resigns,weblink The Guardian, 5 December 2016, 5 December 2016, live,weblink 5 December 2016, WEB, John Key's eight-year reign comes to an end as Bill English gets head-start in leadership race,weblink stuff.co.nz, 5 December 2016, 5 December 2016, Bill English won the 2016 New Zealand National Party leadership election to succeed Key.NEWS, Davison, Isaac, Bill English will be next Prime Minister, Judith Collins, Jonathan Coleman stand aside,weblink 5 June 2017, The New Zealand Herald, 8 December 2016, en-NZ,

Post-prime ministerial career

Following his resignation, Key stated that he would leave Parliament before the 2017 general election. However, he stated that he would resign within six months of the election so as to not trigger a by-election in the {{NZ electorate link|Helensville}} electorate. He gave his valedictory speech in Parliament on 22 March 2017 and formally resigned the following month, on 14 April.NEWS, John Key's final speech to Parliament,weblink 5 June 2017, Newshub, 22 March 2017, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170516145548weblink">weblink 16 May 2017, NEWS, Key, Cunliffe set date for final departures in move to preserve Parliament's balance,weblink 5 June 2017, Stuff.co.nz, In May 2017, Key was appointed to the board of directors of Air New Zealand, and took up the position on 1 September 2017.NEWS,weblink 5 November 2017, John Key joins Air New Zealand's board, 1 May 2017, New Zealand Herald – nzherald.co.nz, NEWS, John Key likely to earn top dollar as ANZ chairman,weblink 5 November 2017, The New Zealand Herald, 18 October 2017, en-NZ, He was also appointed chairman of ANZ Bank New Zealand, taking up the position on 18 October 2017. On 31 March 2020, Key stood down as a director of Air New Zealand.NEWS, Anthony, John, Sir John Key to stand down as Air New Zealand director in March,weblink 4 April 2020, Stuff.co.nz, 17 December 2019, en,

Political and social views

{{Conservatism New Zealand}}Key's views were largely aligned with his own party's view. However, he noted that his differences from his predecessor are more of style and focus rather than view.WEB,weblink Agenda Interview with Lisa Owen, 2007, Agenda (TVNZ programme), Agenda, 22 February 2007, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20081014074351weblink">weblink 14 October 2008, Key noted others' concern at the pace of asset sales, but stated that the arguments against selling assets in the 1980s were largely irrational.WEB,weblink Lifting the performance of the state sector under a future National Government, John, Key, New Zealand National Party, 4 March 2005, 22 February 2009, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20050407124208weblink">weblink 7 April 2005, In a 2002 interview, he said that "some form of orientation towards privatisation" in health, education and superannuation, such as giving firms tax breaks for employer super schemes, made sense.NEWS,weblink National's bright young hope, Newspaper, Warren, Gamble, 23 March 2002, 13 June 2010, The New Zealand Herald, After his party won a plurality in the 2011 election, Key rejected claims that the National Government lacked a mandate to partially privatise state-owned assets.NEWS,weblink The New Zealand Herald, Audrey, Young, Asset sales: we have a mandate – Key, 28 November 2011, Key had a mixed voting record on social issues. In 2004 he voted against the bill creating civil unions,NEWS,weblink MPs vote 65–55 in favour of Civil Union Bill, 2 December 2004, 27 February 2008, Newstalk ZB, The New Zealand Herald Staff, stating that, while he personally supports such unions, he acted in accordance with his electorate's views.WEB, Anne, Else,weblink What I heard John Key say, Scoop (website), Scoop, 31 October 2008, 5 June 2010, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100524121714weblink">weblink 24 May 2010, However, in 2005, Key was part of a large bloc of MPs voting to defeat a bill that defined marriage as being between a man and a woman.NEWS,weblink 'I'm more liberal than I look', The New Zealand Herald, 26 July 2008, 13 June 2010, Key stated in 2008 that he did not oppose same-sex couples adopting children.NEWS,weblink Key fronts up with news for Brad, The New Zealand Herald, 24 October 2008, 13 June 2010, In 2013 he expressed support for same-sex marriageWEB, Shuttleworth, Kate, Gay marriage gets PM's full support,weblink The New Zealand Herald, 29 August 2016, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160315102356weblink">weblink 15 March 2016, and voted for the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013.NEWS, Marriage equality bill – How MPs voted,weblink Stuff.co.nz, 17 April 2013, 18 June 2015, Andy, Ball, Harkanwal, Singh, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150924134543weblink">weblink 24 September 2015, dmy-all, In 2008 Key voted for an attempt to raise the legal drinking age from 18 back to 20,NEWS,weblink Drinking age stays at 18, review announced, 9 November 2006, Mike, Houlahan, 26 February 2008, The New Zealand Herald, but ignored a Law Commission recommendation to increase levies on alcohol.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20101025030206weblink">weblink dead, 25 October 2010, Review of Regulatory Framework for the Sale and Supply of Liquor, 20 September 2014, He claimed there was "no appetite" for such a move.NEWS, Editorial: Failure of nerve on liquor law,weblink The New Zealand Herald, 2 May 2010, A report on public attitudes to alcohol law reform was later discovered, which indicated that in 2010, when he made this claim, 56% of New Zealanders supported a price increase.WEB,weblink Dunne in gun over survey backing booze crackdown, Stuff, 11 December 2011, 20 September 2014, Key says that global warming is a real phenomenon, and that the Government needed to implement measures to reduce human contribution to global warming.WEB,weblink 2005 Vs 2006: Key And Climate Change, Kevin, List, Scoop (website), Scoop, 29 November 2006, 13 June 2010, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20101121045157weblink">weblink 21 November 2010, Key committed the National Party to working towards reducing greenhouse emissions in New Zealand by 50% within the next fifty years.SPEECH, Federated Farmers National Conference, John, Key, 2 July 2009,weblink 13 June 2010, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100526132054weblink">weblink 26 May 2010, dmy-all, Commentators note that as late as 2005, Key made statements indicating that he was sceptical of the effects and impact of climate change.NEWS,weblink FULL COVERAGE: John Key ChChChanges On Climate, Scoop (website), Scoop, 30 November 2006, 22 December 2008, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20080521103454weblink">weblink 21 May 2008, File:John Key Helen Clark handshake.jpg|thumb|left|Key with his predecessor, Helen ClarkHelen ClarkAs a first-term MP in 2003, Key criticised the Labour-led government's stance on the Invasion of Iraq, claiming that New Zealand was "missing in action" by failing to support its ANZUS allies, the United States and Australia.WEB, Sachdeva, Sam, John Key stands by support for Iraq war in 2003, in wake of damning UK report, 7 July 2016,weblink stuff.co.nz / Fairfax Media, 2 September 2016, In August 2007 Key claimed that he would have taken a similar position to Clark and not sent troops to Iraq.NEWS,weblink All you wanted to know about John Key but were afraid to ask, Matt, McCarten, Matt McCarten, The New Zealand Herald, 26 August 2007, 29 August 2007, 29 September 2007,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070929223259weblink">weblink dead, In response, the Government argued that his comments from 2003 suggest that Key would have deployed troops had he been prime minister at the time.Like his predecessor Helen Clark, Key views a New Zealand republic as "inevitable", although probably not for another decade. "If Australia becomes a republic there is no question it will set off quite an intense debate on this side of the Tasman", he said. "We would have to have a referendum if we wanted to move towards it."NEWS,weblink John Key: victory for New Zealand's multimillionaire political novice, 10 November 2008, The Times, 11 December 2008, London, Anne, Barrowclough, Key later stated that he was a monarchist, and that a New Zealand republic would "Not [happen] under my watch".NEWS, NZ steers future of Royal succession,weblink Stuff.co.nz, 10 May 2011, 18 June 2015, John, Hartevelt, In 2009 Key's government restored titular honours, including knighthoods and damehoods — the abolishment of these titles in 2000 had been seen as an advancement towards republicanism.BOOK, Aldrich, Robert, McCreery, Cindy, Crowns and Colonies: European Monarchies and Overseas Empires, 2016, Oxford University Press, 9781526100894, 436,weblink en, During the 2020 New Zealand euthanasia referendum, Key publicly expressed support for the End of Life Choice Act 2019, saying that his mother's struggle with Alzheimer's disease prior to her death convinced him to support the decriminalisation of euthanasia.NEWS, Quinlivan, Mark, Euthanasia referendum: Emotional Sir John Key's plea on End of Life Choice Act and why he's voting 'yes',weblink 7 November 2020, Newshub, 14 October 2020,weblink 16 October 2020, live, NEWS, Election 2020: Sir John Key makes emotional plea ahead of the End of Life Choice Act referendum,weblink 7 November 2020, Stuff (website), Stuff, 15 October 2020,weblink 7 November 2020, live, In September 2021, Key criticised the Labour Government's elimination-based lockdown policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, likening it to making New Zealand a hermit kingdom like North Korea. He also accused the Government of ruling by fear and lacking a post-lockdown strategy. To speed up COVID-19 vaccination, he recommended boosting funding for Māori and Pasifika health providers, introducing financial incentives for young people, and allowing only vaccinated people into licensed premises.NEWS, Key, John, We need to break free of the hermit kingdom and stop ruling by fear on Covid-19,weblink 27 September 2021, Stuff (website), Stuff, 25 September 2021,weblink 25 September 2021, live, NEWS, 'Take away some of their rights' - Sir John Key on incentivising vaccinations,weblink 27 September 2021, Radio New Zealand, 27 September 2021,weblink 27 September 2021, live, TVNZ journalist Jack Tame described Key's views on the Government's handling of COVID-19 as provocative but praised his five-point plan as a "collection of sensible ideas worthy of consideration."NEWS, Tame, Jack, Sir John Key is being provocative but his ideas make sense, writes Jack Tame,weblink 27 September 2021, 1 News, TVNZ, 26 September 2021,weblink 27 September 2021, live, In August 2022, Key described Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan as "reckless" and provocative towards China during an interview with TVNZ journalist Jack Tame. Since Beijing regarded the visit as a violation of the One China Policy, China had downgraded bilateral relations with the United States. During his premiership, Key had cultivated a close relationship with President of China Xi Jinping, describing Xi as "extremely trustworthy, very open, consistent."NEWS, John Key: Pelosi's Taiwan trip 'reckless, provocative and dangerous',weblink 7 August 2022, 1 News, TVNZ, 7 August 2022,weblink 6 August 2022, live, NEWS, Daly, Michael, US Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan ' poking the bear', former PM John Key says,weblink 7 August 2022, Stuff (website), Stuff, 7 August 2022,weblink 7 August 2022, live,

Personal life

Personal wealth

On 25 July 2008, Key was added to the New Zealand National Business Review (NBR) Rich List for the first time. The list details the wealthiest New Zealand individuals and family groups. He had an estimated wealth of NZ$50 million,WEB,weblink Rich List 2008: A bad economy, but the rich still get richer, NBR Staff, National Business Review, 25 July 2008, 1 November 2008, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20081029024119weblink">weblink 29 October 2008, which made him the wealthiest New Zealand Member of Parliament,NEWS,weblink Will the real John Key step forward, Ruth, Berry, The New Zealand Herald, 25 November 2006, 13 June 2010, and the wealthiest prime minister ever.WEB, 2024-04-29, Personal worth makes Key richest Prime Minister yet,weblink 2024-04-29, NZ Herald, en-NZ, In the 2016 NBR Rich List, Key had an estimated wealth of NZ$60 million. Most of his financial investments are held in a blind trust.NEWS, John Key's Rich List wealth rises to $60m,weblink 30 August 2017, Stuff, 28 July 2015,

Family

Key married Bronagh Irene Dougan in 1984; they met when they were both students at Burnside High School. She has a BCom degree, and worked as a personnel consultant before becoming a full-time mother. They have two children, Stephie and Max. Max is a night-time radio host for George FM, and is also a singer.NEWS, Radio station warns staff about Max Key,weblink New Zealand Herald, 10 February 2016, 11 February 2016, 1170-0777, en-NZ, Stephie is a performance artist.NEWS, Stephie Key: 'Rebellion is not the intention',weblink 22 January 2017, Stuff, 3 May 2015,

Religious views

In 2008 Key stated that he attended church frequently with his children, but was an agnostic.NEWS,weblinkweblink" title="archive.today/20121228001500weblink">weblink dead, 28 December 2012, Will the real John Key step forward, Ruth, Berry, 25 November 2006, 23 August 2007, The New Zealand Herald, "if you're asking me if I'm religious it depends how you define religion. I look at religion as doing the right thing....I go to church a lot with the kids, but I wouldn't describe it as something that I ... I'm not a heavy believer; my mother was Judaism, Jewish which technically makes me Jewish. Yeah, I probably see it in a slightly more relaxed way.", WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120323111413weblink">weblink dead, 23 March 2012, NZPA, 5 November 2008, Clark and Key spar in final TV debate before election, 15 June 2010, He has said that he does not believe in an afterlife, and sees religion as "doing the right thing".

Honours

File:The Right Honourable Sir John Key,GNZM,of Auckland, for services to the State.jpg|thumb|Key with Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, shortly after his investiture as a Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of MeritNew Zealand Order of MeritOn 3 August 2010, Key gained the style "The Right Honourable". Previously, as he was not a privy councillor, he had not been entitled to use the style—his predecessor ended the appointment of New Zealanders to the Privy Council. However, in 2010 the Queen approved the use of the style by prime ministers, governors-general, speakers of the House, and chief justices.NEWS,weblink Right Honourable title back for NZ's elite, National Business Review, 3 August 2010, 5 June 2017, en-NZ, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304085329weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, Key was appointed a Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, in recognition of "services to the State", in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours.WEB,weblink Former PM John Key tops Queen's Birthday honours with knighthood for services to the state, Stuff.co.nz, 5 June 2017, 27 July 2017, WEB,weblink Queen's Birthday honours list 2017, 5 June 2017, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, 6 June 2017, Later Key was appointed an honorary Companion of the Order of Australia, for "eminent service to Australia-New Zealand relations", by the Governor-General of Australia on the personal recommendation of the Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull.WEB,weblink Honorary Appointment within the Order of Australia, 18 July 2017, Governor-General of Australia, 18 July 2017, dead,weblink 14 August 2017, dmy-all, On 7 August 2017, Key was awarded an honorary doctorate by his alma mater, the University of Canterbury, to become a doctor of commerce.WEB,weblink University of Canterbury to award Sir John Key an honorary doctorate, 7 August 2017, 7 August 2017,

See also

• Electoral history of John Key
• List of New Zealand ministries
• Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak (New Zealand)

References

{{reflist|30em}}

Further reading

• BOOK, Levine, Stephen, Roberts, Nigel, Key to Victory: The New Zealand General Election of 2008, 2009, Victoria University Press, Wellington, 9780864736130,weblink
• BOOK, Roughan, John, John Key: Portrait of a Prime Minister, 2017, Penguin Books, New Zealand, 9780143771180,weblink

External links

{{Commons category}}{{wikinewsart|Exclusive interview with New Zealand politician, John Key}}

• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20041222224120weblink">Profile at New Zealand National Party website
• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120203232218weblink">Profile at Parliament of New Zealand website
• Releases and speeches at Beehive website

}}{{New Zealand prime ministers}}{{Fifth National Government of New Zealand}}{{NZ National Party}}{{Authority control}}