fbpx
Print this page
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

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

Vaccinate against new lepto strain

A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.

TV series to combat food waste

Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.

National

Celebrating success

The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole…

Cyclone's devastating legacy

One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it…

Machinery & Products

Factory clocks up 60 years

There can't be many heavy metal fans who haven’t heard of Basildon, situated about 40km east of London and originally…

PM opens new Power Farming facility

Morrinsville based Power Farming Group has launched a flagship New Zealand facility in partnership with global construction manufacturer JCB Construction.