The resignation of Prime Minister Key should not be heralded as some noble act of succession or demonstration of commitment to family but rather seen for what it truly is, namely an exhibition of moral bankruptcy and a corporate style exit strategy which has the effect of rendering as valueless as Pumpkin Patch staff shares, the promises made to the people of Greymouth and the families of the miners entombed at Pike River.
Rather than make the fulfilment of the promise to do everything possible to evacuate the bodies from the mine, his last act of state, John Key wants to pack up his tent and disappear into the night.
I don't applaud anything but his leaving. I despise his falsity and failure to keep his word.
His legacy will be buried in Pike River along with his reputation, and deservedly so.
MARTIN HINE
Rotorua