The 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key has today announced his resignation, saying he was “leaving on my own terms”.
Mr Key said he wanted to make room for new talent and adds that he gave his role as leader of New Zealand “everything he had.”
“One of the things that I have always believed in is making room for new talent and let’s be blunt, I have taken the knife to some other people and now I am taking the knife to myself to allow others to come through and have those opportunities, and that is a healthy thing,” he said.
Mr Key has been New Zealand’s Prime Minister since 2008 and the next general election will be held before November next year. The National Party caucus will hold a meeting on December 12 to decide the new party leader and Prime Minister.
Mr Key says he is leaving on his own terms. “This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made and I don’t know what I’ll do next.” Mr Key cited family reasons for leaving, saying the job had required great sacrifices “from those who are dearest to me.”
gayebelle - 7 years ago
It has been a long haul in the last 8 years with natural disasters in NZ, a World Recession, and so many changes in World Leaders. John Key has been a hard working Prime Minister, and it takes a toll on health, and family. He has made the right decision to move away from dirty politics as they seem to be everywhere now, and on to sweeter pastures. Good luck John.