One final goodbye as PM Key
‘‘See ya mate, good luck, you’re gonna be awesome’’ – and with that John Key handed over the reins to his pal, Bill English.
Hundreds turned up yesterday to line Parliament’s steps in a show of respect for Key and his wife Bronagh as they left in a Crown limo on their last outing as the first couple.
It was a sea of emotion as ministers, MPs and Beehive staff hugged, shook hands and shared a laugh with the pair. But when the Keys waved one last goodbye and drove off, the floodgates opened for many of the former prime minister’s closest colleagues and staffers as they wept at the end of an era.
It was English and his wife, Mary, who got the last word with Key and Bronagh before they headed to Government House, where he formally resigned from the job he’s devoted everything to over the last eight years. In his words, ‘‘I gave it everything I had, there is nothing left in the tank’’.
In his last public statement to the press gallery as prime minister, Key described himself as somebody who ‘‘likes to be liked’’.
‘‘Most people are, but I’m particularly of that sort of nature. It’s suited me and I’ve found it easy.’’
With English, his long-time friend and colleague, assuming power, Key said his one piece of advice was to ‘‘trust your instincts’’.
‘‘When you’re prime minister, you often have to make decisions and comment on things without perfect information ... you simply have to just trust your gut.’’
He left with the confidence that ‘‘Bill English would be a fine prime minister and Paula Bennett, I think, will be an outstanding deputy’’.
As for the Kiwis who had voted for him, snapped selfies with him and stopped him in the street, Key wished to express his ‘‘gratitude and thanks’’ – not just in his eight years as the country’s leader but for his 10 years running the National Party and 14 years in Parliament.
He took time yesterday to congratulate the party’s new leadership team, bid farewell to his Cabinet colleagues, and he even apologised to the press gallery for missing their annual Christmas party this year (Key leaves for Hawaii today).
‘‘Everyone has a job to do and as prime minister and head of the executive, I have a responsibility to do my job and to have the policies I believe will take New Zealand forward. You have a job to do as well, as the fourth estate, to hold the Government and executive to account.’’
Key described his relationship with the media as a ‘‘thoroughly professional and enjoyable’’ one. ‘‘There will always be times I might not 100 per cent agree with what you’ve written or said but, guess what, there’s probably been times when you haven’t agreed with what I’ve said or written.’’
He was looking forward to being ‘‘anonymous’’ when he returns to Parliament as a backbencher next year before eventually retiring from politics.
‘‘For the most part, when I really look back on it, I’ve been pretty happy. I’ve had a lot more positivity than people having a go (at me),’’ he said.