UPDATED: John Key announced this afternoon he will be stepping down as Prime Minister and leader of the National Party.
In interim, Bill English will be Prime Minister.
John says he will stay on to see out his term as MP, while a new leader will be voted by caucus before Christmas.
He made the announcement at a press conference in parliament today.
He says he always believed the job of Prime Minister is about leaving the country in a better place than he left it, but believes the public will decide that.
'I gave it everything I had and left nothing in the tank.”
He hopes the government has served the people of New Zealand well.
'I will leave a richer person for the experience.”
He points to New Zealand's economic success as his government's major achievement, and believes it will continue without him.
Asked about the resulting leadership contest that will likely emerge, John says there's bound to be some competition, but believes it will pave the way for renewal.
'Let's be blunt: I've taken the knife to other people, now I'm taking the knife to myself.”
He says he will be spending more time with family as a result, and hopes his resignation does not adversely affect National's chances in 2017.
John Key has served New Zealand generously and with dedication. I wish him and his family the best for the future.
— Andrew Little (@AndrewLittleMP) December 5, 2016
EARLIER:
John Key has announced that he is stepping down as Prime Minister of New Zealand.
In an announcement just minutes ago, Key says he would be resigning from his role.
Key's decision is extraordinary and unprecedented - and it changes everything. There will be mourning in National - and rejoicing in Labour. It will be hard for National to retain its momentum once Key goes, reports Stuff.
"It will be easy to say I've made this decision to rediscover the family life I once had," says John.
3 comments
Well he had to make a choice?
Posted on 05-12-2016 20:46 | By waiknot
Retire and play golf with Barack Obama. Or stay in office and play golf with Donald Trump.
Good luck John
Posted on 06-12-2016 11:49 | By Merlin
Good luck John on the next stage of your life but I can not agree that it is in a better place with house prices out of control ,homelessness increasing and the lack amount of burglaries not being solved.
The KEY / Government Debt stays with the Government
Posted on 06-12-2016 14:11 | By Murray.Guy
4th of November 2008, I will never forget my birthday present or my demand that the promise made to our community is kept by the Government and who ever replaces John Key. The Tauranga Central Corridor will be a four-lane State Highway which runs from Fifteenth Avenue, along Turret Road to the Hairini Roundabout in Welcome Bay. Our commitment includes provision for a cycleway and pedestrian access. The project will include a new bridge at Turret Road and an underpass at Welcome Bay. National is promising to meet the projects full cost of $100 million to resolve this emerging Achilles heel of Taurangas roading network. The funding for this investment in growth will come from the additional infrastructure funding signalled in our fiscal policy. There will be no tolls on this road. Completion is expected to take five to six years. Where is it Simon Bridges?
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