“in better shape than they found it”
- #wikipedia
- #quote
- #trusted-source
- #www.theguardian.com
Figure timeline
John Key
Sir John Phillip Key is a New Zealand retired politician who served as the 38th prime minister of New Zealand from 2008 to 2016 and as leader of the National Party from 2006 to 2016.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
politics · Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2008 to 2016 · politician · economist · also John Key, Sir John Philip Key, John Philip Key, John P. Key, John Phillip Key, Sir John Phillip Key
Born 9 August 1961 · Q57783
45 published statements · 0 followers
See & hear
Photos & media
9 photos
Media from Wikimedia Commons, hotlinked at the source under its own licence — see each file for author and terms.
Live now
In the news
Pulling headlines from trusted outlets — this usually takes a few seconds
Checking the wires…
Feed scan
These are live links, not archived citations — they only join the timeline once a collect run verifies and archives them.
Live pulse
Recent highlights
Most recent outstanding titles, awards, and quotes
- Quote
- Quote
2026· 3 entries
“t originally mentioned the phone call because he”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
OneRoof: How a caveat derailed the $24m sale of Sir John Key’s former home
- #news
- #headline
2025· 1 entry
Key has exported Cabri G2 to the United States and operates Airbus H130 under the same registration ZK-IJK
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2024· 1 entry
“s [Trump] likely to embrace a bit more market. He”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
2022· 1 entry
The Guardian: Former New Zealand PM John Key says he would have voted for Trump and Bolsonaro
- #news
- #headline
2021· 1 entry
The Guardian: John Key calling New Zealand’s Covid response ‘North Korean’ isn’t just lazy rhetoric, it’s wrong | Brian Ng
- #news
- #headline
2020· 1 entry
The Guardian: John Key tells New Zealand National MPs: if you can’t quit leaking, quit the party
- #news
- #headline
2017· 3 entries
Awarded Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia (2017).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
Awarded honorary doctor of the University of Canterbury (2017).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
Awarded Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2017).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
2016· 11 entries
The Guardian: John Key was known as the smiling assassin. And people still liked him | Alex Frankel
- #news
- #headline
The Guardian: John Key's pick for New Zealand's next prime minister faces party challengers
- #news
- #headline
The Guardian: What next for New Zealand? National party loses John Key's personal appeal
- #news
- #headline
The Guardian: John's key moments: ponytail pulling, a three-way handshake and a vasectomy – video
- #news
- #headline
The Guardian: New Zealand prime minister John Key resigns
- #news
- #headline
- #transfer
The Guardian: John Key kept the knife he reserved for himself perfectly concealed
- #news
- #headline
The Guardian: 'This feels the right time to go': New Zealand PM John Key resigns – video
- #news
- #headline
- #transfer
The Guardian: New Zealand prime minister John Key's resignation speech in full
- #news
- #headline
- #transfer
The Guardian: John Key confirms two deaths in New Zealand earthquake – video
- #news
- #headline
Making him the wealthiest individual ever to assume the premiership
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
“[TPP] will boost our economy by at least $2.7 billion a year by 2030. It will help diversify our economy and create more jobs and higher incomes for New Zealanders”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
2013· 1 entry
Expressed support for same-sex marriage and voted for the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2012· 1 entry
Key was implicated in the arrest of Kim Dotcom and the subsequent revelations that the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) had illegally spied on Dotcom
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2011· 1 entry
Was nicknamed "Teflon John" in the popular media, as nothing damaging to his reputation seemed to "stick" to him
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2010· 2 entries
When he made this claim, 56% of New Zealanders supported a price increase
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
The Queen approved the use of the style by prime ministers, governors-general, speakers of the House, and chief justices
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2009· 2 entries
Key's government restored titular honours, including knighthoods and damehoods — the abolishment of these titles in 2000 had been seen as an advancement towards republicanism
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Key was bestowed with the mātai, or Samoan chiefly title, of To'osavili (meaning 'protect from the winds') from the village of Poutasi
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2008· 5 entries
Career landmark: Prime Minister of New Zealand (2008–2016).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
Key stated in 2008 that he did not oppose same-sex couples adopting children.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #life
- #marriage
That he did not oppose same-sex couples adopting children
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Key stated that he attended church frequently with his children, but was an agnostic
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Key voted for an attempt to raise the legal drinking age from 18 back to 20, but ignored a Law Commission recommendation to increase levies on alcohol
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2005· 2 entries
Key was part of a large bloc of MPs voting to defeat a bill that defined marriage as being between a man and a woman
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
However, in 2005, Key was part of a large bloc of MPs voting to defeat a bill that defined marriage as being between a man and a woman.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #life
- #marriage
2004· 2 entries
Voted against the bill creating civil unions, stating that, while he personally supports such unions, he acted in accordance with his electorate's views
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Was appointed Finance Spokesman for National and eventually succeeded Don Brash as the National Party leader in 2006
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2003· 1 entry
Key criticised the Labour-led government's stance on the Invasion of Iraq, claiming that New Zealand was "missing in action" by failing to support its ANZUS allies, the United States and Australia
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1999· 1 entry
Was appointed a member of the Foreign Exchange Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York until leaving in 2001
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1998· 1 entry
On learning of his interest in pursuing a political career, National Party president John Slater began working to recruit him
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1995· 1 entry
Joined Merrill Lynch as head of Asian foreign exchange in Singapore
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1981· 1 entry
Studied at University of Canterbury, Bachelor of Commerce (1981).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #education
1979· 1 entry
Studied at Burnside High School (1975–1979).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #education
1961· 1 entry
Born 1961-08-09.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #birth