Urgent teleconference call for National MPs gave game away, says Labour MP Meka Whaitiri

Labour MP for Ikaroa Rawhiti Meka Whaitiri was in a select committee meeting when the news broke. Photo / Paul Taylor

Labour MP for Ikaroa Rawhiti Meka Whaitiri was in a select committee meeting when the news broke.

"The first time we got an inkling of the Prime Minister's resignation was when the National MPs got called to an urgent teleconference," she said.

When the remaining MPs were informed, Whaitiri said it had been "a bit of a surprise".

"We never had any inkling about it, but we still respect that at the end of the day it's the Prime Minister's decision," she said, adding it was quite unusual for a PM to resign outside their term.

In terms of the effect this could have in Hawke's Bay, the Labour MP said once the initial shock of Key's resignation subsided, "we are still going to carry on, the sun's going to come up tomorrow and we're still going to have our multiple challenges in the Hawke's Bay".

If anything, she thought local residents would want to ensure there was a stable government, and nothing occurred to inhibit the economic boom the region was experiencing.

Whaitiri also acknowledged Key's leadership in the role over the past eight years.

"I thank him for all his efforts and wish him all the very best on his next journey, him and his family."