John Key

John Key

New Zealand New ZealandpoliticianMaleb. 19616.7Global Dominance: 0.00%

John Key served as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2008 to 2017, leading the National Party to three consecutive election victories. His tenure is noted for strong economic growth, tax cuts, and a focus on free-market policies. Key is regarded as a skilled communicator and strategist, and his leadership style has been influential in shaping modern New Zealand politics. Post-premiership, he has remained active in business and political commentary.

Power2,288
Reach52,550

Country presence

Recent news mentions

John Key governed alongside Act, United Future and the Māori Party.

Danyl McLauchlan: A National party PM insulting businesses is akin to a Green MP punching a dolphin
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-08-10
6.0

The two people in particular that people are paying tribute to at the moment are the former Mayor Len Brown and former Prime Minister Sir John Key.

City Rail Link: The long road to Auckland’s big-city future – The Front Page
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-08-07
7.0

John Key defended Christopher Luxon, stating that successive Prime Ministers have used military assets.

Labour goes on the attack as John Key defends Christopher Luxon’s Defence Force flights
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-08-05
7.0

Those are the John Key/Bill English years.

Should Kiwis ignore the cost of living and trust the long-term plan? – The Front Page
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-08-05
6.0

John Key acknowledged Sir Owen Woodhouse's vision after his death in 2014.

Our groundbreaking accident compensation scheme is becoming unaffordable. Now what?
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-08-03
6.0

John Key is a former Prime Minister who defends Luxon and discusses his leadership style.

Christopher Luxon’s awkward transition from CEO to Prime Minister
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-07-29
7.0

Sir John Key officiates a high-profile wedding for a tech millionaire.

Sir John Key officiates high-profile LA wedding for Kiwi tech millionaire Jamie Beaton
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-07-26
8.0
Also mentioned
Jamie Beaton
Jamie Beaton

John Key expressed that China's rapid development provides significant market opportunities for New Zealand.

韩正会见新西兰前总理约翰·基 --时政--人民网
People's Daily·ChinaChina· 2026-07-16
8.0
Also mentioned
Han Zheng
Han Zheng

John Key expressed that China's rapid development provides significant market opportunities for New Zealand.

韩正会见新西兰前总理约翰·基--时政--人民网
People's Daily·ChinaChina· 2026-07-15
8.0
Also mentioned
Han Zheng
Han Zheng

Paul Henry mentioned Sir John Key as a long-term friend but not his political idol.

Act’s Paul Henry shares his thoughts on nudism, politics and whether he’s ready to face scrutiny
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-07-14
6.0
Also mentioned
Paul Henry
Paul Henry
Helen Clark
Helen Clark

Former Prime Minister Sir John Key accompanied Paul Henry to his farm to view renovations.

Society Insider: Diane Foreman transforms Newmarket police station into hotel as husband Paul Henry announces he’ll stand for Act
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-07-14
7.0

John Key expressed hope that Paul Henry would make it to Parliament, calling him a fantastic MP.

Election 2026: David Seymour reveals Paul Henry as Act Party candidate, likely to be given ‘electable’ list position
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-07-14
8.0

John Key is mentioned as a famous regular at Oh Calcutta, indicating the restaurant's popularity.

Jesse Mulligan Reviews Oh Calcutta: Why They’re Still Getting It Right After 32 Years
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-07-08
7.0

Prime Minister John Key helped crack open the ceremonial sake barrel at the launch of Masu.

Nic Watt speaks out after Cāntīng collapse and mounting hospitality losses
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-07-04
9.0

Hipkins disagreed with the change that John Key made many years ago, which was to bulk fund accommodation allowances for MPs.

MP Housing Perks: See how the number of MPs claiming all their housing allowance has skyrocketed
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-06-28
4.0

Sir John Key is mentioned as living in Parnell, where property values have seen modest increases.

‘The Prime Minister will have the very best’: Ex-minister on the security at Dame Jacinda Ardern’s home
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-06-23
6.0

Sir John Key bought a A$5.7m apartment on Sydney Harbour in 2020.

Dame Jacinda Ardern now living in Australia after being spotted house-hunting in Sydney
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-02-26
7.0

John Key, the former Prime Minister, praised Brownlee for his strong voice and belief in the blueprint for Christchurch's recovery.

Christchurch rebuild blueprint revisited: Wins, delays and missed chances
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-02-21
8.0

John Key is referenced as a comparison point for Erica Stanford's potential in politics.

Duncan Garner: Exclusive, my night out on the town with Erica Stanford
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-02-06
7.0

John Key is a former Prime Minister of New Zealand, recognized for his significant political influence.

Danyl McLauchlan: Trouble for Winston Peters as Kiwi workers wake up to his party’s limitations
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-01-26
6.0

John Key was the Prime Minister of New Zealand who named Sirocco the Official Conservation Ambassador.

Há esperança para salvar da extinção os papagaios mais gordos do mundo | Conservação da natureza
Público·PortugalPortugal· 2026-01-18
8.0
Also mentioned
Andrew Digby
Andrew Digby

Christopher Luxon should not model his leadership on John Key, according to the article.

Why this election will be unlike any other – Richard Prebble
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-01-14
5.0

John Key restored the titular honours that his predecessor Helen Clark abolished in 2000.

New Zealand’s honours system: does it need a polish up?
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2025-12-23
7.0

John Key's government is referenced as a comparison for the number of public servants employed.

My word of the year, deja vu - Heather du Plessis-Allan
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2025-12-20
5.0

John Key’s Government is referenced in relation to winning three elections.

What the last week of the political year tells us about 2026 election and Christopher Luxon’s life-changing defection - Thomas Coughlan
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2025-12-19
5.0

John Key is referenced as a former Prime Minister who sent a signed bottle of champagne to Nicola Willis.

Chlöe Swarbrick is a ‘demagogue’, says David Seymour
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2025-12-17
5.0

John Key campaigned on large-scale RMA reform during his time with the National Party.

Government to unveil radical overhaul of RMA today, slashing consent requirements
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2025-12-08
5.0

John Key was a retiring prime minister before Bill English took over.

Christopher Luxon leadership: Why National would be ‘nuts’ to roll him - Bruce Cotterill
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2025-12-06
6.0

John Key was the Prime Minister of New Zealand during the time of Kim Dotcom's legal issues and has been accused by Dotcom of being influenced by the US.

Kim Dotcom’s home mortgaged to Bitcoin Jesus who cut $89m deal with US govt to drop tax evasion charges
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2025-11-29
3.0

Former Prime Minister Sir John Key is mentioned in the context of economic management.

Former Beca principal Carel Viljoen avoids jail over $2m fraud case
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2025-11-17
6.0