Key, a former Merrill Lynch currency trader, had recently marked his eighth anniversary as prime minister and 10th year as leader of the centre-right National Party, which is set to meet next week to elect his successor.
Bijušais finanšu institūcijas "Merrill Lynch" baņķieris astoņus gadus vadīja Jaunzēlandes valdību, bet desmit gadus bija labēji centriskās Nacionālās partijas līderis.