John Key's holiday selfie

Prime Minister John Key with his son Max on holiday.

Leaving the country in the hands of deputy Bill English, Prime Minister John Key took a holiday "selfie", posted on Instagram yesterday by son Max.

The photo was titled "pre-golf game".

Mr Key has taken 10 days out from his pre-election schedule for an overseas holiday. It is believed he is staying at his holiday home on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

The pair's golfing antics hit headlines this year after they were snapped teeing off with US President Barack Obama on the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course on the island of Oahu.

At the time, Mr Obama was renting a holiday home nearby.

With less than 70 days to go until the election, Mr Key's office was forced to defend the leader's choice to take the holiday.

Steven Joyce, campaign manager and Cabinet minister, said while Mr Key was a healthy individual, he needed a chance to recharge even though he had been reluctant to take time off.