Key’s Beehive doodle attracts good money
Prime Minister John Key may have a budding art career to match his daughter’s, if bidding for his latest doodle is anything to go by.
At a west Auckland luncheon hosted on Thursday by the Henderson Rotary Club, a signed ‘‘doodle’’ by Key attracted fierce bidding.
The monochrome drawing features the beehive, a smiley face and a little bit of political promotion for the Government’s flag change referendum.
The drawing sold for $3100 and was reportedly bought by businessman Sir David Levene.
Half of all money raised would go to the Well Foundation, which works to boost healthcare in the most needy parts of the community in north and west Auckland.
The other half will go towards projects by the Henderson Rotary Club.
Key has promised a second drawing for the underbidder who will pay $3000 for the privilege of owning another prime ministerial doodle.
It is not clear what the second doodle would be of yet but Well Foundation chief executive Andrew Young said Key quickly announced himself as an accomplished artist after bidding had ended.
‘‘The prime minister seemed very happily overwhelmed by the amount.
‘‘He expressed a lot of surprise and delight,’’ Young said.
The amount raised for the Well Foundation would go towards more medical checks through the mobile clinic run by the foundation.
The auction is believed to have raised more than $30,000 in total and Key’s drawing was the second most popular item up for bidding.
The most popular was too much for even Key’s art skills to rival – a luxury trip to Samoa.