National MP for Tukituki Craig Foss (left) spoke fondly of PM John Key but said "when he makes up his mind to do something he does it, and that's what I saw today as well". Photo / Duncan Brown.
National MP for Tukituki Craig Foss spoke fondly of the Prime Minister, and had been "absolutely caught by surprise" by Key's decision.
"We've had an absolutely top PM and at the end of the day I'm very, very thankful to work with him, but also absolutely admire what he's achieved with a very united team," the National MP said.
"I used to play squash with him way back then, and when he makes up his mind to do something he does it, and that's what I saw today as well.
"He's left us in very good heart."
Foss said he respected Key's decision to step down - something he did not think would affect his chances at re-election next year.
"The support for the party and all our policies is very, very strong across Hawke's Bay and of course our support for John and whoever might pick that leadership up," he said.
"The policies won't change but obviously the [Prime Minister] will, but by and large it's those policies which have really helped Hawke's Bay absolutely thrive at the moment."
The announcement was hugely surprising to Napier MP Stuart Nash, "in fact when I was told I didn't believe it".
"[I was] very surprised for a number of reasons, first and foremost he said he was going to stand again in 2017, and secondly this is a man who was leading the party, riding real high in the polls," he said.
"I just think this has made it a whole lot easier for Labour to win 2017, to win next year. A lot of National's appeal is in fact their leader John Key, and when you take that away it makes the game a lot more interesting next year."
Nash said Labour had been "gearing up" for an election against Key, but local politicians would still "go really hard on the issues" in their campaigns.
National has not yet announced their candidate for the Napier electorate. When asked if he thought Key's resignation could impact the candidates chances, Mr Nash said, "it certainly doesn't make it any easier".
Nationally, Key's resignation "really does change the game there's no doubt about that," he said.
"I don't think anyone saw this coming at all. It's going to be interesting to see what happens next year."