Prime Minister John Key's surprise resignation yesterday left the country, and Hawke's Bay's own politicians, in shock.
Yesterday afternoon Mr Key - who had previously said he would run for a fourth term as Prime Minister - announced he would be stepping down. It was expected a new leader for the National Party would be chosen next Monday, when Mr Key formally offers his resignation to the Governor-General.
Yesterday local politicians shared their reactions to the news with Hawke's Bay Today.
Tukituki MP Craig Foss spoke fondly of the Prime Minister, and had been "absolutely caught by surprise" by Mr 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."
Mr Foss said he respected Mr 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."
Mr Nash said Labour had been "gearing up" for an election against Mr Key, but local politicians would still "go really hard on the issues" in their campaigns.
National has not yet announced its candidate for the Napier electorate. When asked if he thought Mr Key's resignation could impact the candidate's chances, Mr Nash said, "it certainly doesn't make it any easier".
Nationally, Mr 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."
Ikaroa Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri had been in select committee when the news broke.
"The first time we got an inkling of the Prime Minister's resignation was when the National MPs got called to an urgent teleconference," she said.
When the remaining MPs were informed, Ms Whaitiri said it had been "a bit of a surprise".
"We never had any inkling about it, but we still respect that at the end of the day it's the Prime Minister's decision," she said, adding it was quite unusual for a PM to resign outside their term.
In terms of the effect this could have in Hawke's Bay, the Labour MP said once the initial shock of Mr Key's resignation subsided, "we are still going to carry on, the sun's going to come up tomorrow and we're still going to have our multiple challenges in the Hawke's Bay".
If anything, she thought local residents would want to ensure there was a stable government, and that nothing occurred to inhibit the economic boom the region was experiencing.
Ms Whaitiri also acknowledged Mr Key's leadership in the role over the past eight years.
"I thank him for all his efforts and wish him all the very best on his next journey - him and his family."
Like the others, Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott said Mr Key's announcement was a "big surprise".
"I thought he would go in and want to win a fourth term but I take his point if he was planning to leave anyway next term, he's doing the right thing leaving now.
"He will leave a huge gap and some big shoes to fill."
In terms of timing, he said it would give the new leader time to get their feet under the table and give the public some confidence.
As to who would step in, Mr Scott said it was not just a case of a new leader, but the important role of deputy prime minister to be decided as well.
"Caucus will be wanting a team of two to lead the Cabinet - it will be a case of picking a pair of people who will do the best job."
He said it was a unique situation for a first-term politician such as himself to be in.
"Especially when you hear about it in the pub," he said referring to his being at a Dannevirke pub where he watched the announcement on TV, after a tele-conference held just before 12pm.
The surprise was also felt by former Napier MP Chris Tremain, who held the seat for National between 2005 and 2014.
As well as Mr Key previously stating he would stand again, it was also a surprise as "he's done such a fantastic job".
"It was a privilege to have worked with him and I've got a huge level of respect for what he's achieved for New Zealand," he said.
Mr Tremain - who did not contest the seat in the 2014 election - said he understood the Prime Minister's decision.
Although he had not been at Mr Key's level, "as a Cabinet minister I got a taste of the pressure you're under, and your family is under, the transparency, and the constant involvement in your personal lives."
The former MP said he thought Mr Key left the country, and Hawke's Bay, in a "fantastic position".
Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule said that through his role as president of Local Government New Zealand he had had a fair bit to do with Mr Key.
He had been surprised, but not completely, by today's announcement.
"He is a trader, he's used to calling things," he said.
"This will have been a calculated decision - he's been a very good Prime Minister and will be banking on the fact that new leadership will allow the party to stay in office."