John Oliver on John Key: 'He's more cat than PM'

John Oliver takes aim at New Zealand - again. Photo / HBO

John Key's hair-pulling has generated headlines around the world, and comedian John Oliver is the latest to take a shot at it on his HBO show.

In a new episode of HBO's popular satirical news show Last Week Tonight, which screened yesterday in the US, Oliver led his audience through a basic rundown of the controversy, before adding his own comedic spin on it.

"You can't just pull someone's hair for months, then make it all good with a bottle of wine. You're the Prime Minister of New Zealand, not a Real Housewife of New Jersey," he said.

* Watch the clip here.

Oliver said Key couldn't pass any dangling hair without pawing at it: "He's more cat than Prime Minister at this point."

Oliver's show has previously had a go at Key and the National Party when it was called out over the similarity between its campaign song and an Eminem track, and he has also had a crack at the flag debate in this country.

His efforts to replicate a New Zealand accent were on show again this week, with a brief impersonation of an issue Key may face during any diplomatic negotiations:

"We'd very much like you to end the sanctions."

"Yeah, we're not gonna do that, and I'll tell you why - you're a creepy individual who pulls women's hair."

"Aw yeah, that's a fair point, makes sense, I'll show myself out, bit of banter, no drama."

Feedback to the segment proved popular among Twitter users.

Did we use the PR firm that got John Key onto the Letterman show to get him the slot with John Oliver?

— get daily newsletter at subslack.substack.com (@DavidSlack) April 27, 2015

Just watched #JohnOliver's take on #ponytailgate. Not that I wasn't before, I'm so ashamed to call #johnkey our prime minister.

— Dr Julie Blommaert 👩🏼‍🔬 (@drjulie_b) April 27, 2015

I've decided that John Oliver's segment on John Key is my family's new grace before dinner #nzpol

— black turtleneck (@ironymcglone) April 27, 2015

I believe #JohnOliver's New Zealand accent is improving. #LastWeekTonight #JohnKey #ponytailgate

— Not Australia (@Not_Australia) April 27, 2015

The full episode screened in New Zealand on Soho last night.

Watch: Oliver tears into NZ election