Monday, 05 December 2016 16:21

New PM to be elected next week

Written by 
John Key (pictured) has resigned as Prime Minister of New Zealand. John Key (pictured) has resigned as Prime Minister of New Zealand.

The National Party caucus meets next week to elect a new Prime Minister.

This follows the shock announcement by Prime Minister John Key that he is resigning from the top job.

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

"This is the hardest decision I've ever made and I don't know what I'll do next,” Key told journalists in Wellington.

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

Bill English is expected to take over as Prime Minister and Steven Joyce is expected to take on the finance role.

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.

More like this

Trump tariffs

OPINION: Former politicians seem incapable of staying away from the limelight after they retire.

The sniff test — Editorial

Former Prime Minister John Key said, at the start of the Level 4 Lockdown, that businesses should be concerned about their reputations.

Foreign investment is critical

Foreign investment not only brings in money but links New Zealand into foreign markets, says former Prime Minister John Key.

Not the time for tax – Key

Former Prime Minister John Key says imposing another tax on farmers now for greenhouse gas emissions won’t achieve much.

Culling cows not the answer

OPINION: The agricultural sector plays a critical role in New Zealand's economic health and the lives of everyday Kiwis.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Arable advocacy?

OPINION: Spare a thought for the arable farmer, squeezed on one side by soft global prices and on the other…

Gaslight much?

OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter