John Key
Release

New Zealand and Viet Nam have agreed an ambitious target of doubling two-way goods and service trade to around $2.2 billion by 2020, Prime Minister John Key has announced.

The target was confirmed in today’s bi-lateral meeting between Mr Key and Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, as well as senior ministers from both countries.

Also signed was a cooperation arrangement on food safety and an air services agreement which will provide greater choices for New Zealanders flying to Viet Nam.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key is to lead a New Zealand delegation at the centenary commemorations of the ANZAC landings in Gallipoli, Turkey.

“On 25 April 2015, we mark 100 years since the first New Zealand troops came ashore at Gallipoli,” says Mr Key.

Gallipoli was the first major combat role for New Zealand forces in the First World War and was where 2721 New Zealanders were killed, representing a quarter of the total New Zealand forces sent to the peninsula.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the news of a planned official visit to New Zealand by Prince Harry, the grandson and fourth-in-line to Queen Elizabeth II.

“I am thrilled New Zealand will have the opportunity to welcome the Prince, who today confirmed he will visit New Zealand in May, after a four-week secondment with the Australian Defence Force,” says Mr Key.

“This is Prince Harry’s first visit to New Zealand and we are very keen to show him as much of the country as possible.”

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has announced a two-day visit to New Zealand by Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Prime Minister Dung and a delegation of more than 100 senior ministers and business leaders will arrive in Auckland on Thursday for events including a bi-lateral meeting with Mr Key and senior ministers as well as meetings with New Zealand business leaders.

“Prime Minister Dung’s visit is an important opportunity to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Viet Nam which we celebrate in 2015,” says Mr Key.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key will visit Korea next week to mark the signing of the New Zealand-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Prime Minister Key and President Park Geun-hye of Korea will witness the signing of the agreement on March 23 by Trade Ministers in Seoul.

“The signing of the FTA represents a historic milestone in New Zealand’s relationship with Korea,” says Mr Key.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key today announced an overhaul of the Remuneration Authority Act, tying MP salaries to those of the wider public sector, which will be passed under urgency.

Mr Key says the decision was made after the Remuneration Authority’s latest determination which saw the total remuneration received by MPs increased by about 3.5 per cent.

“That increase was neither necessary nor justified at a time when inflation is at 0.8 per cent,” says Mr Key.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key met with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Auckland today for their annual Leaders’ Talks. 


“Prime Minister Abbott and I had an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues and to reflect on the areas where we might be able to do more,” says Mr Key.

“Australia remains New Zealand’s closest bilateral partner. We enjoy close ties in all areas of our relationship, including in the trade, economic, defence, people-to-people and sporting areas.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister the Hon Tony Abbott MP and Prime Minister the Rt Hon John Key met in Auckland on 28 February 2015 for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting.

Prime Minister Key warmly welcomed Prime Minister Abbott and Mrs Abbott to New Zealand. The visit has enabled wide-ranging and substantive discussion that has underlined the strength, value, diversity and warmth of our trans-Tasman relationship.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has expressed his disappointment at the Remuneration Authority’s decision to increase MP remuneration.

“I wrote to the Authority expressing my view that there should be no increase,” says Mr Key.

“My view was that, given New Zealand is set to enjoy a low inflation environment for some time into the future, an increase in remuneration was neither appropriate nor necessary.”

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key today expressed his sadness at the passing of Dame Thea Muldoon.

Mr Key says he met Dame Thea on a number of occasions.

“She made a significant contribution to her community and the country – something she was recognised for when she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and awarded the Queen’s Service Order for Community Service.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key today announced a Government decision to deploy a military training mission to Iraq as part of New Zealand’s overall contribution to the international coalition against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

New Zealand’s military personnel will fulfil a non-combat, behind the wire mission to train Iraqi Security Forces so they are better prepared to fight ISIL.

“ISIL’s ability to motivate Islamist radicals make it a threat not only to stability in the Middle East, but regionally and locally too,” Mr Key says.

John Key Prime Minister
Speech

Mr Speaker, today I am announcing to the House the Government’s decisions about our contribution to the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.

Last November I gave a national security speech which outlined the threat posed to New Zealand by ISIL.

This brutal group and its distressing methods deserve the strongest condemnation.

ISIL’s ability to motivate Islamist radicals make it a threat not only to stability in the Middle East, but regionally and locally too.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key welcomes this week’s first official visit to New Zealand by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

“I am very pleased to be able to welcome Prime Minister Abbott to New Zealand. His visit will continue a long-standing tradition of regular and substantive contact between the Prime Ministers of our two countries,” says Mr Key.   

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has announced a week of Anzac commemoration events in Wellington marking the centenary of the First World War Gallipoli landings.

“In the last decade, the number of New Zealanders attending Anzac Day services has risen significantly and this year holds a special significance,” Mr Key said.

Centenary commemorations begin with the official opening of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park on Saturday April 18.

Mr Key said Pukeahu belonged to all New Zealanders and recognises service in all conflicts.

John Key Prime Minister
Speech

Rau rangatira ma e huihui nei,

Nau mai, haere mai ki Waitangi.

Tēnei aku mihi māhana mo te Kāwanatanga Nāhinara ki a koutou.

Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Today we commemorate 175 years of the Treaty of Waitangi relationship. 

It’s a relationship we should all have pride in. And we should all have great confidence that it will continue to strengthen.

Like the first Maori who arrived here many hundreds of years ago, European settlers arrived by sea.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has announced that further funding is now available for the improvement of New Zealand’s Great Rides.

Applications are now being accepted for the second round of funding available through the Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund - a government initiative to maintain and enhance the Great Rides of Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

John Key Tourism Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key today announced the date for the by-election in Northland will be Saturday the 28th of March.

“This date gives parties sufficient time to prepare, while allowing the process to move ahead.”

Today’s announcement was made after the Prime Minister considered advice from the Electoral Commission.

The by-election Writ day will be Monday 23 February and the deadline for candidate nominations to be received will be midday on Tuesday 3 March. 

The last day for the return of the Writ will be Tuesday 14 April.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key today acknowledged the resignation of Northland MP Mike Sabin for personal reasons.

Mr Key also acknowledged Mr Sabin’s service as an MP since he was elected in 2011.

The Prime Minister is taking advice on the possible date for a by-election.

John Key Prime Minister
Speech

Ladies and Gentlemen.

New Zealand is in good shape and getting better.

We are making great strides towards building a stronger, more prosperous country – a country where we can have a great lifestyle and earn a good income that compares well with the rest of the world.

That progress is due to the hard work and positive attitude of New Zealanders.

It’s also because of the stability, cohesion and confidence that’s come from six years of strong and stable government.

New Zealand is doing well compared to other countries.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has extended his condolences to the people of Saudi Arabia following the passing of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.


“King Abdullah was a leading figure in the Middle East, an advocate for Arab unity in an often divided region, and a strong voice for peace,” says Mr Key.

“He oversaw an unprecedented era of economic development in Saudi Arabia and under his rule the Kingdom has solidified its position as an economic and political force.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key will travel to the United Kingdom, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Switzerland next week, attending meetings of the World Economic Forum and International Democrat Union.

In London, Mr Key will meet with Prime Minister David Cameron, Opposition Leader Ed Miliband, the Governor of the Bank of England and business leaders.

The Prime Minister will then travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina to Chair a meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Democrat Union and also meet with the President and the Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has strongly condemned the violent attack on the offices of the Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris.

“This horrific attack has reportedly left 12 people dead and others fighting for their lives,” Mr Key says.

“Our thoughts are with the families of those who have lost loved ones, those injured in this brutal attack, and the people of France.”

The French authorities have confirmed the shooting was politically motivated.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key says the latest Indicators and Progress Report for the Government’s Methamphetamine Action Plan shows more prisoners are completing drug treatment programmes.

The report released today shows more than 1000 prisoners a year are starting programmes in a drug treatment unit – more than double the number in 2008/2009. Over three-quarters of prisoners successfully complete their programme.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key says the New Zealand Government is currently monitoring the situation in Sydney as events continue to unfold.

“Our hearts go out to those involved and our thoughts are very much with them and their families,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key contacted Prime Minister Tony Abbott directly to offer a message of support, shortly after the siege got underway today.

Currently, agencies are unable to confirm the nationalities of those involved, including whether any New Zealanders have been caught up in this situation.

John Key Prime Minister