John Key facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir John Key
GNZM AC
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Key in February 2015
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| 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand | |
| In office 19 November 2008 – 12 December 2016 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Deputy | Bill English |
| Governor-General | Sir Anand Satyanand Sir Jerry Mateparae Dame Patsy Reddy |
| Preceded by | Helen Clark |
| Succeeded by | Bill English |
| 31st Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 27 November 2006 – 19 November 2008 |
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| Deputy | Bill English |
| Preceded by | Don Brash |
| Succeeded by | Phil Goff |
| 11th Leader of the National Party | |
| In office 27 November 2006 – 12 December 2016 |
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| Deputy | Bill English |
| Preceded by | Don Brash |
| Succeeded by | Bill English |
| 3rd Chairman of the International Democrat Union | |
| In office 21 November 2014 – 21 February 2018 |
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| Deputy | Tony Clement |
| Preceded by | John Howard |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Harper |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Helensville |
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| In office 27 July 2002 – 14 April 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Chris Penk |
| Majority | 20,547 (56.49%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Phillip Key
9 August 1961 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Spouse |
Bronagh Dougan
(m. 1984) |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Alma mater | University of Canterbury (BCom) |
| Signature |  |
Sir John Phillip Key (born 9 August 1961) is a retired New Zealand politician. He served as the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2008 to 2016. He was also the leader of the National Party from 2006 to 2016.
When John Key was eight, his father passed away. His single mother raised him in a state-owned house in Bryndwr, Christchurch. He studied at the University of Canterbury and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1981. Before entering politics, he worked in the foreign exchange market. He even became the head of global foreign exchange for Merrill Lynch.
Key became a Member of Parliament in 2002, representing the Helensville area. He became the leader of the National Party in 2006. After two years as the Leader of the Opposition, he led his party to win the 2008 general election. He became Prime Minister on 19 November 2008. His government won two more elections in 2011 and 2014. On 5 December 2016, he resigned as Prime Minister and party leader. Bill English took over on 12 December 2016.
As Prime Minister, Key led the Fifth National Government of New Zealand. This was during the late-2000s recession. He supported both socially liberal and economically liberal policies. He was the wealthiest person to become Prime Minister, with an estimated wealth of USD$35 million in 2016. After leaving politics, Key joined the boards of several New Zealand companies.
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Early Life and Education
John Key was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on 9 August 1961. His father, George Key, was an English immigrant and a veteran of two wars. His mother, Ruth Key, was an Austrian-Jewish immigrant. John and his two sisters grew up in a state house in Christchurch. He is one of three New Zealand prime ministers with Jewish ancestry.
He went to Aorangi School and then Burnside High School from 1975 to 1979. There he met his future wife, Bronagh. He then attended the University of Canterbury. In 1981, he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting. He also took management courses at Harvard University.
Career Before Politics
Key's first job was as an auditor in 1982. He then worked as a project manager for a clothing company for two years. He started working as a foreign exchange dealer at Elders Finance in Wellington. He quickly became the head foreign exchange trader. In 1988, he moved to Bankers Trust in Auckland.
In 1995, he joined Merrill Lynch in Singapore as head of Asian foreign exchange. Later that year, he became Merrill's global head of foreign exchange, based in London. He was a member of the Foreign Exchange Committee of the New York Federal Reserve Bank from 1999 to 2001.
Entering Politics
John Key entered the New Zealand Parliament in 2002. He represented the Helensville area in Auckland. He was one of the few new National Party members elected that year. In 2004, he became the National Party's spokesperson for Finance. He then took over from Don Brash as the National Party leader in 2006.
For two years, Key was the Leader of the Opposition. He led his party to win the November 2008 general election.
Prime Minister (2008–2016)
John Key became Prime Minister on 19 November 2008. His government won two more general elections. These were in November 2011 and September 2014. He was expected to run for a fourth term in 2017. However, he resigned on 5 December 2016. Bill English became Prime Minister on 12 December 2016.
In his first term, Key's government increased the GST. They also cut personal taxes. They stopped renewing licenses for some TV channels like TVNZ 6 and TVNZ 7. Funding for Radio New Zealand was also reduced. After a major earthquake in Christchurch in February 2011, the government created the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority.
In his second term, Key's government started selling parts of five state-owned enterprises. Many voters were against this policy in a 2013 referendum. He also faced a housing crisis, especially in Auckland. In foreign policy, Key's government removed New Zealand Defence Force troops from the war in Afghanistan. They also signed the Wellington Declaration with the United States. Key also pushed for more countries to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
After Being Prime Minister
After resigning, Key said he would leave Parliament before the 2017 general election. He gave his farewell speech in Parliament on 22 March 2017. He officially resigned the next month, on 14 April.
In May 2017, Key joined the board of Air New Zealand. He also became chairman of ANZ Bank New Zealand. He left Air New Zealand's board in March 2020. In 2019, he joined the board of an American cybersecurity company, Palo Alto Networks.
Political Views
John Key's political views were generally in line with his party's beliefs. He said his differences from the previous leader were more about style than core views.
Climate Change
Key believes that global warming is real. He thinks the government needs to reduce human contributions to it. He committed the National Party to reducing greenhouse emissions in New Zealand by 50% in the next fifty years.
COVID-19
In September 2021, Key spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. He criticized the government's lockdown policies. He suggested ways to speed up vaccination. These included more funding for Māori and Pasifika health providers. He also suggested financial rewards for young people to get vaccinated. He thought only vaccinated people should be allowed into some places.
Foreign Policy
As a new MP in 2003, Key criticized the government's stance on the Iraq War. He felt New Zealand should have supported its allies, the United States and Australia. Later, in 2007, he said he would not have sent troops to Iraq.
In August 2022, Key called Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan "reckless." He said it was provocative towards China. During his time as Prime Minister, Key had a good relationship with President of China Xi Jinping.
Māori Issues
In August 2024, Key spoke at the National Party's conference. He urged the government to be careful with Māori issues. He said everyone should respect each other and work for a better New Zealand.
Marriage
Key had mixed views on social issues. In 2004, he voted against a bill creating civil unions. He said he personally supported them but voted based on his local area's views. In 2005, he voted against a bill that would define marriage only between a man and a woman.
In 2008, Key said he did not oppose same-sex couples adopting children. In 2013, he supported same-sex marriage. He voted for the law that allowed it.
Monarchy vs Republic
Key believes a New Zealand republic is "inevitable" in the future. He said it would likely happen if Australia became a republic. However, he also stated he was a monarchist. He said a republic would "Not [happen] under my watch." In 2009, his government brought back knighthoods and damehoods.
Privatisation
Key acknowledged concerns about selling state assets. However, he felt the arguments against it in the 1980s were not logical. After winning the 2011 election, Key said his government had the right to partially sell state-owned assets.
Personal Life
Personal Wealth
In 2008, John Key was added to the New Zealand National Business Review (NBR) Rich List. He was estimated to be worth NZ$50 million. This made him the wealthiest Member of Parliament and Prime Minister ever. In 2016, his estimated wealth was NZ$60 million. Most of his money is managed in a special way called a blind trust.
Family
Key married Bronagh Irene Dougan in 1984. They met while studying at Burnside High School. Bronagh worked as a personnel consultant before becoming a full-time mother. They have two children, Stephie and Max. Max is a radio host and singer. Stephie is a performance artist.
Religious Views
In 2008, Key said he often went to church with his children. However, he described himself as an agnostic. This means he is not sure if God exists. He said he does not believe in an afterlife. He sees religion as "doing the right thing."
Private Pilot Licence
In October 2024, Key shared that he started learning to fly a helicopter during the COVID-19 lockdowns. He now has 280 hours of flight time. Key owns a Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter. He has customized it with the proposed alternative New Zealand flag design. It also has three white rabbit emblems for good luck and his personal callsign, ZK-IJK. Key said he mostly flies his helicopter to golf courses.
Honours
On 3 August 2010, John Key gained the title "The Right Honourable". This title is used for important government officials. In 2010, the Queen approved this title for prime ministers and other key figures in New Zealand.
Key was made a Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This was for his "services to the State" in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours. He was also made an honorary Companion of the Order of Australia. This was for his "eminent service to Australia-New Zealand relations."
On 7 August 2017, his former university, the University of Canterbury, gave him an honorary doctorate. He became a doctor of commerce.
Images for kids
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John Key's signature
See also
In Spanish: John Key para niños
- Electoral history of John Key
- List of New Zealand ministries
- Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak (New Zealand)
