Prime Minister Key speaks to Tauranga youth

John Key at combined assembly for Tauranga Boys and Girls Colleges held in the Tauranga Boys College gym.

Prime Minister John Key was welcomed by an enthusiastic young crowd at Tauranga Boys' College this morning.

The leader of New Zealand spoke to about 450 Year 13 students at the college and Tauranga Girls' College in a special assembly, followed by a question and answer session with the students.

The visit sparked the creation of a poll prior to the assembly - 'if there was an election today, who would win?'.

Boys' College students voted, resulting in 39 per cent choosing the National Party.

Mana Internet Party followed in second position, with Labour and the Green Party following behind.

A total of 49 per cent of Girl's College students voted for National, while 20 per cent voted for the Greens, followed by Labour.

Mr Key talked about New Zealand today being the best it has been in a long time for young people.

People were living in a highly competitive, multicultural society in exciting times and the future was bright, Mr Key said.

"The best years are still ahead of New Zealand because of a massive explosion of middle income wealth in Asia. It's going to create the biggest transformation of wealth in the region and obviously New Zealand is set to reap the benefits from this."

Mr Key also talked about his own background, his solo mother raising him while living a state house and his determination to become Prime Minister.