PM's life not always glamorous

Prime Minister John Key in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo / NZPA

Top level meetings, tropical destinations, and fancy hotels may seem glamorous, but for Prime Minister John Key it's all in a day's work.

Mr Key, in Vietnam for the East Asia Summit (EAS), said it was always busy on international trips and he hardly ever got enough sleep.

"It's no holiday, we haven't been out shopping and we haven't been out partying, but we have been out working and that'll bring some relief to the New Zealand taxpayer, I'm sure," he told media.

With the Pacific Island Forum, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Apec, and the EAS, it can seem like the prime minister spends more time out of the country than he does at home.

Mr Key said it was time well spent.

"I think you've got to balance all of that out and say is it worth it for the time it takes me out of the country.

"The fact that we are such an open country, that's going to make our fortune by selling more to the world than we buy from it, I think net-on-net it's worth it."

It was important for a small country like New Zealand to get out and meet with world leaders, Mr Key said.

"If you think about the lunch we went to; the richest man in the world was there in the form of the Sultan Brunei, three of the largest most populated countries in the world were there in the form of India and China and the likes, and arguably the only super power that currently exists (the United States).

"For New Zealand, a small country, getting face time with big leaders that's not easy so these summits help us," he said.

And Mr Key's tips for such trips?

Don't drink too much, take sleeping pills if needed and go for a run in the morning if you have time.

- NZPA