What do you think?
Rate this book
John Key: Portrait of a Prime Minister
An updated in-depth portrait of former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.
New Zealand’s most popular modern day Prime Minister, John Key shocked many with his decision to step down from office less than a year out from a general election. Rather than doing what most expected and seeking an historic fourth term, Key opted to quit while his approval rating was still high and before voters tired of him.
‘I always thought leaders overstay their welcome. They just start grating with people. All the things people liked about them they start not to like,’ Key tells journalist John Roughan in this updated edition of John Key: Portrait of a Prime Minister.
A fascinating insight into Key’s early life, personality and motivations, Roughan’s account of John Key’s rise and rise examines how the twin ambitions of a boy in a state house ‘to make a million dollars and be Prime Minister’ were realised beyond his dreams. As popular as ever after eight years as Prime Minister, Key chose to leave the job he loved – and the voters who seemed certain to return him to office. But, as Roughan concludes, it’s perhaps not surprising that the instincts that served Key so well as a currency trader, and which also informed his approach to politics, ultimately fuelled his unprecedented decision to retire at the height of his power.
New Zealand’s most popular modern day Prime Minister, John Key shocked many with his decision to step down from office less than a year out from a general election. Rather than doing what most expected and seeking an historic fourth term, Key opted to quit while his approval rating was still high and before voters tired of him.
‘I always thought leaders overstay their welcome. They just start grating with people. All the things people liked about them they start not to like,’ Key tells journalist John Roughan in this updated edition of John Key: Portrait of a Prime Minister.
A fascinating insight into Key’s early life, personality and motivations, Roughan’s account of John Key’s rise and rise examines how the twin ambitions of a boy in a state house ‘to make a million dollars and be Prime Minister’ were realised beyond his dreams. As popular as ever after eight years as Prime Minister, Key chose to leave the job he loved – and the voters who seemed certain to return him to office. But, as Roughan concludes, it’s perhaps not surprising that the instincts that served Key so well as a currency trader, and which also informed his approach to politics, ultimately fuelled his unprecedented decision to retire at the height of his power.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2014
21 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
John Roughan
2 books2 followersJohn Roughan is a journalist who has been observing and writing on New Zealand politics for the past 40 years. Born in Southland and educated in Christchurch, he graduated from Canterbury University with a degree in History and a diploma in Journalism. He began his newspaper career on the former Auckland Star newspaper before travelling extensively, working on newspapers in Japan and the United Kingdom at the time of the election of Margaret Thatcher.On his return, he joined the New Zealand Herald and was posted to the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Wellington in 1983. There he covered the dramatic final years of the Muldoon era and the beginning of the Lange–Douglas Government's rapid reforms of the New Zealand economy. In 1988 he became the New Zealand Herald's chief editorial writer.
From Penguin NZ website
From Penguin NZ website
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 3, 2022
Hmm, learnt a lot about him as a person and he seems like a good dude. It was also kinda cool to read about stuff to at I heard of in the media but was oblivious too or to young to understand at the time. Otherwise, it was nothing life changing. But yeah, in conclusion, John Key seems like a legend, I would love to meet him some time 😂
May 2, 2020
Impressive chap
January 31, 2015
Really relevant piece of literature re. John Key's achievements as a prime minister. As much as his policies are driven by the right he definitely stands on a more moderate pedestal and is very likeable and genuine hence his longevity in parliament. I could relate to him on a personal level and admired his drive and desire to follow his early ambitions as a young lad. I love how his relationship with Bronagh seems so straight forward and his affable personality sees him in very elite circles which others could only dream of. Certainly it is the individual man who drives that through his distinct honesty and integrity.
I loved how they built up the internal relationships within the National Party as well and explained more of the mixings of the individuals and it goes to show through their considerable success despite unpopular policies. Especially for example Bill English who never seems to enjoy the spotlight and certainly doesn't pine for it like others potentially do however he is a worker and John and him seem to have a very strong partnership.
I highly recommend this book if you are interested in NZ government.
I loved how they built up the internal relationships within the National Party as well and explained more of the mixings of the individuals and it goes to show through their considerable success despite unpopular policies. Especially for example Bill English who never seems to enjoy the spotlight and certainly doesn't pine for it like others potentially do however he is a worker and John and him seem to have a very strong partnership.
I highly recommend this book if you are interested in NZ government.
October 6, 2022
New Zealand’s John Key was one of its longest-serving prime ministers but John Roughan’s biography was not ‘authorised’ as such, although its subject
gave the writer five interviews.
His early years as a child of a solo mother, of Jewish descent, who had fled the Nazis from Vienna to England and then New Zealand, were spent in suburban Christchurch. Growing up in a state house, he was an average student at high school and Canterbury University, those years remarkable only for his stated ambition to make a million dollars and become Prime Minister. He achieved the former as a foreign currency trader, latterly having been with Merrill Lynch in London from 1996 to 2000. His return to his home country saw him turn to politics where he was quickly offered and won the seat of Rodney.
His years in Parliament were marked by the Christchurch earthquake and the GFC. The end of his political career was in keeping with the story of his past successes as he made a deliberate choice as the next election at the end of his third term loomed.
Summing up this book is that there are no surprises and no analysis that had not already been traversed in the media. It seems that he is a nice fellow but without deep philosophical leanings or political beliefs. When still a school boy , Key developed an interest in horse racing and considered a future in the industry. There are parallels with the rest of his life where it seems that his career was generally dependant not so much on the pursuit of ideas but the consideration of the odds.
The biography opens with the much touted game of golf between Key and Barrack Obama and one wonders whether this is really of great significance
At the end, the reader feels none the wiser as to
Key’s inner thoughts and is left with a feeling ‘is that all there is?.
The interest in this book lies in its depiction of life for a modern politician -
incredibly hard work!
gave the writer five interviews.
His early years as a child of a solo mother, of Jewish descent, who had fled the Nazis from Vienna to England and then New Zealand, were spent in suburban Christchurch. Growing up in a state house, he was an average student at high school and Canterbury University, those years remarkable only for his stated ambition to make a million dollars and become Prime Minister. He achieved the former as a foreign currency trader, latterly having been with Merrill Lynch in London from 1996 to 2000. His return to his home country saw him turn to politics where he was quickly offered and won the seat of Rodney.
His years in Parliament were marked by the Christchurch earthquake and the GFC. The end of his political career was in keeping with the story of his past successes as he made a deliberate choice as the next election at the end of his third term loomed.
Summing up this book is that there are no surprises and no analysis that had not already been traversed in the media. It seems that he is a nice fellow but without deep philosophical leanings or political beliefs. When still a school boy , Key developed an interest in horse racing and considered a future in the industry. There are parallels with the rest of his life where it seems that his career was generally dependant not so much on the pursuit of ideas but the consideration of the odds.
The biography opens with the much touted game of golf between Key and Barrack Obama and one wonders whether this is really of great significance
At the end, the reader feels none the wiser as to
Key’s inner thoughts and is left with a feeling ‘is that all there is?.
The interest in this book lies in its depiction of life for a modern politician -
incredibly hard work!
May 19, 2020
"When the common man transcends all barriers to become a hero," this adage effectively summarizes John Key's charmed life. True to his word, Roughan provides a tantalizing glimpse of a man who left a remarkable imprint on New Zealand's current history and posited it on the global stage. A man whose Prime Ministership was defined by his ability to relate to voters rather than any "charismatic" overtures.
A cursory glance at John's 9 year long tenure as Prime Minister does not do his strength of character any justice. Through his own mettle, the man rose from a ragged one parent family to become the nation's foremost currency trader. His stints at globally reputed firms cemented his standing as a man of the money, and it was no surprise that he joined the economically savvy National party.
Once again John worked day and night to rise to the level of Prime Ministership and obliterated the atrophying Labour party in three decisive elections. And herein lies Roughan's literary success: he lends light to John's inner strength. From the outset, Key confronted seemingly insurmountable challenges. The GFC in 2008, two catastrophic earthquakes in 2010-2011, and an Opposition resorting to below the belt tactics.
Nonetheless he soldiered on, and even today his popularity ratings have proved unpassable. In an era where Jacinda Ardern's coalition government has effectively dismantled the country's "rockstar economy," is it any wonder that cries of "bring back John" are beginning to mount?
A cursory glance at John's 9 year long tenure as Prime Minister does not do his strength of character any justice. Through his own mettle, the man rose from a ragged one parent family to become the nation's foremost currency trader. His stints at globally reputed firms cemented his standing as a man of the money, and it was no surprise that he joined the economically savvy National party.
Once again John worked day and night to rise to the level of Prime Ministership and obliterated the atrophying Labour party in three decisive elections. And herein lies Roughan's literary success: he lends light to John's inner strength. From the outset, Key confronted seemingly insurmountable challenges. The GFC in 2008, two catastrophic earthquakes in 2010-2011, and an Opposition resorting to below the belt tactics.
Nonetheless he soldiered on, and even today his popularity ratings have proved unpassable. In an era where Jacinda Ardern's coalition government has effectively dismantled the country's "rockstar economy," is it any wonder that cries of "bring back John" are beginning to mount?
January 26, 2019
Inspirational story on his life and what he has achieved
November 12, 2019
Gosh darn it bronagh why’d ya get to him first?
June 2, 2022
again really interesting giving an inside view of parliament and managing issues. Really interesting.
June 5, 2022
I enjoyed this book of John Keys life, his roots and his career prior to prime minister, he’s an all round lovely man and in my opinion one of the best prime ministers in my life time
September 19, 2025
What a guy
November 29, 2014
Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed sensations of hate-wank on this portrait followed by thoughts of pillorying another account of an Individual, one man and his feelings on charitable harping to change NZ. Oneness meaning a big one, supported in script by the wretched machine, its dull recounts of success and the result to others *the underclass because of it. While I don't hate the PM, his personality nor his lifestyle, please media, spare us minutiae, his stomach and its contents from Auckland suburb appearances over brunch with Bronagh - details you'd find least interesting were it not for the importance of public policy, and the challenges of such affecting us all.
In truth, I coo less over A types these days. Decades of force-feeding on stuff and you're left best cooing with pigeons, shitting on one another wearing cheapened cloth. Here's me thinking Black Friday were a day to pull out the Goth. I mean punching humans out for consumerism is as ugly as looking at the world through the eyes of trade. Feelings are for successful individuals who don't save the world, and crazy is entrusting in them to do so.
In truth, I coo less over A types these days. Decades of force-feeding on stuff and you're left best cooing with pigeons, shitting on one another wearing cheapened cloth. Here's me thinking Black Friday were a day to pull out the Goth. I mean punching humans out for consumerism is as ugly as looking at the world through the eyes of trade. Feelings are for successful individuals who don't save the world, and crazy is entrusting in them to do so.
September 6, 2014
Going into this I was already a. John key fan. This just expanded how much I liked him and gave me a better understanding of where he came from.
Well researched and full of quotes from people in his life that know him best, including himself, this really built a picture of a man who planned out his future from a young age and worked towards what he wanted to achieve. I have always admired his coolness in the face of opposition and I now understand where that has come from. I always thought that maybe I wanted to be the prime minister one day but this has changed my mind. In essence it is a popularity contest, maybe I will aim for agricultural minister instead.
I would definitely recommend this to any john key fans and critics, just to get a different perspective on a very interesting man
Well researched and full of quotes from people in his life that know him best, including himself, this really built a picture of a man who planned out his future from a young age and worked towards what he wanted to achieve. I have always admired his coolness in the face of opposition and I now understand where that has come from. I always thought that maybe I wanted to be the prime minister one day but this has changed my mind. In essence it is a popularity contest, maybe I will aim for agricultural minister instead.
I would definitely recommend this to any john key fans and critics, just to get a different perspective on a very interesting man
April 7, 2016
I read this book to get an understanding of our current PM. I came away with a feeling of despair. It is a once-over-lightly portrait and while Key comes across as a likeable chap, a leader of a country he is not. Poll-driven, with a desire to stay in power, he has done nothing of any meaning. John Roughan has approached this bio from a journalistic standpoint and apart from interviews with Key, his sister and his wife Bronagh, there is little analysis of the man.
October 6, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’ve always been a fan of Key and his politics. Reading his story only enhanced the respect I have for him as a leader, and as an inspiration to the next generation of Kiwi’s. Understanding the story of his family, from their European roots to the life they’ve built today really gives an insight into a man who steered New Zealand through some tough, tough economic times. I think I have a taste for political biographies now…
July 18, 2014
Well researched and written. The first part of the book goes into his upbringing and career progression which is fascinating. The second is more about recent political events in NZ which is not as interesting. A good read though and you can see why he is popular
November 1, 2014
Easy read. Interesting to read about the Prime Minister's background. Nothing profound, but steady as she goes, is good for the country at the moment.
April 21, 2015
Good to read in conjunction with Dirty Politics. This is the Clean side of Politics.
November 8, 2015
Interesting look into NZ Prime Minister John Key's background.
June 6, 2016
Excellent read - an insight into the man and the politics of the last 15 years
May 3, 2017
If you want insight into New Zealand culture and the life of a well-liked politician, I recommend this book. I picked it up during a layover in a New Zealand airport, desperately searching for something that would help me soak up as much of New Zealand as possible during my 10 day trip there. THIS BOOK did the trick! It's not the most fascinating, engaging, page-turning book I've ever read - it is about politics afterall - but it helped me get a better understanding of what it might be like to live in New Zealand. With respect to politics in the US, the POV in this book is thought provoking. I appreciated the insight into the "tiny little nation" which often seems like paradise.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews