John Key | |
---|---|
38th Prime Minister of New Zealand | |
In office 19 November 2008 – 12 December 2016 | |
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Deputy | Bill English |
Governor-General | |
Preceded by | Helen Clark |
Succeeded by | Bill English |
31st Leader of the Opposition | |
In office 27 November 2006 – 19 November 2008 | |
Deputy | Bill English |
Preceded by | Don Brash |
Succeeded by | Phil Goff |
11th Leader of the National Party | |
In office 27 November 2006 – 12 December 2016 | |
Deputy | Bill English |
Preceded by | Don Brash |
Succeeded by | Bill English |
3rd Chairman of the International Democracy Union | |
In office 21 November 2014 – 21 February 2018 | |
Deputy | Tony Clement |
Preceded by | John Howard |
Succeeded by | Stephen Harper |
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Helensville | |
In office 27 July 2002 – 14 April 2017 | |
Preceded by | Constituency established |
Succeeded by | Chris Penk |
Majority | 20,547 (56.49%)[1] |
Personal details | |
Born | Auckland, New Zealand | 9 August 1961
Political party | National |
Spouse(s) |
Bronagh Dougan (m. 1984) |
Children | 2 |
Parents |
|
Alma mater | University of Canterbury (BCom) |
Occupation | Politician, Diplomat |
Signature | |
Website | Official website |
Sir John Phillip Key GNZM AC (born 9 August 1961) is a New Zealand retired politician and diplomat who was the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand and was the 11th Leader of the New Zealand National Party. He entered the New Zealand Parliament in 2002 representing the north-west Auckland area of Helensville as a National MP, a seat that he still holds. In 2006 he succeeded Don Brash as the National Party leader in 2006. Key led his party to victory in the 2008 New Zealand general election.
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.[2]
In December 2016, Key has announced his resignation as prime minister and leader of the National Party. He also 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.[3][4] Bill English won the leadership election and succeeded Key on 12 December.[5] Key was very popular when he left office.