John Key has a new item in his wardrobe. Photo / AP
Prime Minister John Key gives his reaction to his debut on the world stage at the Apec meeting in Peru to political editor Audrey Young.
PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT
"It was a combination of meeting George Bush and Hu Jintao. They are leaders of such large nations and people I have read and heard a lot about."
ON GEORGE BUSH
"He is very personable, very friendly. He was with all the leaders."
ON
HU JINTAO
"They all have completely different styles and some of them because they are talking through interpreters it is partially a cultural issue. Hu Jintao, for instance, is very clear in his thinking and has a very deliberate plan and you get the sense he has the purpose to follow it through. It is definitely about the economic growth of China. He is very committed to that. He spoke quite at length about climate change. He is recognising the different changes that are taking place. He was very committed to trade liberalisation."
ON KEVIN RUDD
"He was very kind to me. He made a real point of introducing me to people and particularly yesterday [first day of the summit] when I didn't know people he was a bit of a guiding hand."
ON HELEN CLARK
"I said to her when I get back I thought I might ask her if she wants to come up and have a chat before the East Asian Summit. She was genuinely very good and so knowledgeable about these things. Her personal assessments were highly accurate. Generally I said to [leaders] that I had spoken to Helen Clark before I left and she passed on her warm regards. She is well thought of."
ON SPEAKING STYLES
"It tended to be us, the Australians, the Canadians, George Bush, we all spoke without notes and tended to talk about a couple of issues we wanted. Others were more prepared in their notes. Lee Hsien Loong from Singapore was very impressive, very impressive. In the end everyone has their own style and I have my own style and I think its best to let that reflect your personality."
ON GETTING DOWN TO EARTH IN NZ
"There is no getting away from the fact this is a pretty unique experience and it is something that every so often you are wandering in and you are thinking not too many New Zealanders would get to experience this. But in the end politics is domestic. They are the people that put you there and I think if you lose touch with them they are the people that take you away pretty quick."
