Prime Minister John Key made an impression in Katikati yesterday on a visit with the National Party's new Coromandel candidate, Scott Simpson.
Arriving later than expected due to fog closing flights in and out of Auckland Airport, a relaxed Mr Key received a warm reception when strolling the town's mainstreet, shaking hands, chatting and having photographs taken with members of the public.
Business people stepped out of their shops to greet the Prime Minister on his way to a National Party function at the town's memorial hall.
Shelley Keill, manager of Katikati's Westpac Bank says Mr Key was "very personable and charismatic".
She was delighted when the PM told her he was a Westpac customer and had been ever since his mother opened an account for him when he was five.
Other Katikati people felt his visit was a welcome surprise and an opportunity to get up close to the man leading our nation.
Mr Key and his entourage left Katikati before midday to meet with senior citizens in Paeroa, students at Hauraki Plains College and business people in Thames.
