Listen: Barry Soper - John Key 'went the way he began'

Barry Soper was sitting on a plane ready to take off when the news broke of John Key's resignation. The announcement came as a complete surprise to the seasoned political journalist who was just as shocked as the rest of New Zealand.

Soper reckons Key "went the way he began" - suddenly - he also believes that the Prime Minister "is the National Party" and his successor has been handed a hospital pass.

There's no whiff of scandal either according to our political correspondent. He says Key has been hinting at it all year and believes the Prime Minister's reasoning that it is to spend more time with his family.