since when are there polls on geekzone.

Judith Collins doesnt seem to be an honest person like Key...she is a bit self serving. I wouldnt vote National if she was leader..or Bennett for that matter.

Pumpedd:

 

Judith Collins doesnt seem to be an honest person like Key...she is a bit self serving. I wouldnt vote National if she was leader..or Bennett for that matter.

 

I agree that Collins isn't as honest as Key, but at the end of the day, policies are set by parties and I care more about policies than people. 

MikeB4: Richie McCaw for PM

Would destroy him. I wouldn't wish that upon someone I like. 

MikeB4:

joker97: Lol. I go for Judith Collins.

May someones God protect us

True Dat!

Pretty gutted really. While he hasn't done anything remarkable, after the GFC we needed strong economic management, which National has delivered, imo. He's also done a great job raising our profile on the intl stage, he's quite renowned in political circles. He also comes across as a decent guy you could have a beer with, he doesn't take himself too seriously and that's part of his appeal. I think he has been a very good leader and I am a bit nervous about the next few years now. The last 8 years of a national government has coincided with my most successful years in life and while I don't think that is because of National, they have created an environment in which many people have thrived. I'll miss him.

It was a surprising bit of news. Pretty much "broke the internet" for a while there - couldn't get to any news sites without "the server is busy" messages.

English will be the next PM. Normally when someone steps down they let the succession take its course, but Key coming out strongly on English's side will all but guarantee him the role. 

With English and Little leading the two major parties it seems like we're in for a pretty dull ride. There's not much charisma on either side. Of course, if the polls don't look good for National closing in on the election I expect the knives to come out. I can see Collins wanting the job and that could get pretty interesting.

Does no-one else see this as his parting gift to the national voters?

Knock down the int. rate of the NZ$ without changing the interest rate? No problem, have the PM resign unexpectedly!

(sour grapes that he does it RIGHT before my international holiday know.... but still!)

andrew027:

 

It was a surprising bit of news. Pretty much "broke the internet" for a while there - couldn't get to any news sites without "the server is busy" messages.

 

English will be the next PM. Normally when someone steps down they let the succession take its course, but Key coming out strongly on English's side will all but guarantee him the role. 

 

With English and Little leading the two major parties it seems like we're in for a pretty dull ride. There's not much charisma on either side. Of course, if the polls don't look good for National closing in on the election I expect the knives to come out. I can see Collins wanting the job and that could get pretty interesting.

 

I agree. A transition to English would be very easy. If Collins starts doing the Australian thing, canvassing supporters (I bet she is on the phone right now doing that) that will hurt National, as it will fragment the party. Labour will rush in about the Australian experience. Best she is not supported enough, and loses her place, due to not supporting English. 

As posted earlier, time for a change is the slogan after three terms, and three terms is often the duration of a party that has been successful, they lose that edge, the public thinks they are too slow and stable. They expect a new Govt to right things. NZ is too small to manage our destiny in many areas

MileHighKiwi:

 

Pretty gutted really. While he hasn't done anything remarkable, after the GFC we needed strong economic management, which National has delivered, imo. He's also done a great job raising our profile on the intl stage, he's quite renowned in political circles. He also comes across as a decent guy you could have a beer with, he doesn't take himself too seriously and that's part of his appeal. I think he has been a very good leader and I am a bit nervous about the next few years now. The last 8 years of a national government has coincided with my most successful years in life and while I don't think that is because of National, they have created an environment in which many people have thrived. I'll miss him.

 

Completely agree.

We have been very lucky to have a man at the helm who actually has worked in the real world, not just worked his way up through student politics (can't ever hear that without thinking of Rick from The Young Ones..)and a variety of political sinecures.

After Margaret Thatcher, he is probably the best leader I have lived under.

ajobbins:

 

"John Key is resigning as Prime Minister of New Zealand. Key made the announcement at his weekly press conference this afternoon." Effective 12 December.

 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11760656

 

 

 

Thoughts? I didn't see that coming!

 

There's been talk for while that he wasn't enjoying the job much anymore. But that's no help in setting a date. :)  

networkn:

 

MikeB4: Richie McCaw for PM

 

 

 

Would destroy him. I wouldn't wish that upon someone I like. 

 

 

 

Plus, and I think kiwis often need reminding, he's a guy who made a living running around holding a ball and knocking people over. I'm sure he's a nice guy - and he can fly a helicopter, hurray! - but playing rugby is just a liiiiiitle bit different to running a country.

As for Key - he did a good job with the economy, but I would never vote for someone who supports as much privacy invading bulk surveillance as he does. Not to mention supporting sending in military-armed, helicopter-mounted police to arrest a man who would have trouble outrunning an armchair, whose alleged crime was making it slightly easier for other people to share copied DVDs.