Paul Little: Finding a job for genial John Key

To the Directors.

Thank you for inviting me to provide a reference for John Key, whom I understand is being considered for a position with your independent republic/gift shop/rapacious multinational behemoth.

As one of John's 4 million employers for the past eight years, I feel I am ideally placed to give a fair assessment of both his strengths and those areas in which he may benefit from guidance and learnings.

I understand the position for which John has applied is a sensitive role requiring a great deal of tact, and that it depends to a large extent on earning and maintaining the respect of those with whom the successful applicant will interface. Well let me put your minds at rest on this point - John will soon put an end to that.

Admittedly, when John first came to us and expressed an interest in the job we were a little concerned about his lack of experience. Not just in this area but in anything at all. However, John was quick to remind us that he is "good with money" and managed to convince us of his worth. And once he had secured the position, no one would deny that he hit the ground. Some would add "running".

John is no lone wolf but a team player who has always shown an interest in the work of others and been happy to provide advice beyond the immediate area of expertise required by his position. Tell your marketing department to look to their laurels, because this is one aspect of your business in which John will be keen to get involved. In particular, if it's rebranding you want, he has no shortage of ideas for this tricky area. Do you have a flag? That's what you think.

If John has an area in which there is room for improvement it might be that he sometimes allows his heart to overrule his head. It's a tendency that has seen him advance the careers of others when they were not - in fact, probably would never be - ready for it.

I'm thinking for instance, of an employee whom I'll call "Gerry". Gerry was struggling when John took a chance and gave him a hand up. It was a real "Awww" moment for all of us, and we can only regret that John will not be here to see that effort though to its conclusion, if there ever is one.

If there is one quality above all others that John brings to the job it would have to be empathy and an ability to put into words what others are feeling. When he told us that his incumbency had put a strain on his family, thousands of other families around the country, hearing the news in the motels and garages where they live, understood exactly what he meant.

One of John's greatest gifts is his ability to stay focused on the here and now. He is a forward thinker, always concentrating on the path ahead rather than the road that got him there. If that means he tends to be forgetful about past statements or positions on various matters, we can only point out that it's called "the dustbin of history" for a reason.

John is not stubborn, nor does he blindly insist on following a path just because he has made an undertaking to do so. If he had that sort of personality, many things would be different. To name just one, this country would still have a 12.5 per cent goods and services tax.

Finally, I would like to sound a word of warning about the context in which this reference should be read as I'm aware it may seem a little fulsome in its praise. If that is so, it is only because our views are coloured by our memories of trying to work with John's predecessor.