Helen Clark, Hayley Holt on locals' PM wishlists

BUT WHO? Rotorua's Thomas Cousins, 21, says we need Helen Clark back. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Reporter Kyra Dawson took to the Rotorua streets to find out who locals would like to see as the country's new prime minister.

Helen Clark may have missed out on the United Nations top job but for at least one local, she would be the ideal woman to take over from the resigning John Key.

Rotorua's Thomas Cousins, 21, a hotel guest service agent, said New Zealand needed to "get on the phone to New York and bring Helen Clark back".

Mr Cousins said although he was only young when she was New Zealand's prime minister he had only ever heard good things about her.

"She never got caught up in scandal. I agree with the whole strong woman and no nonsense politics approach she brought, we need that again," he said.

Beauty therapist Sharlene Cotter, 40, said she would go with the Green Party's Metiria Turei.

"Because of the environmental issues and we have no swimmable rivers. I would hope they would sort that out. I think climate change has been ignored and I'd like to see it not be ignored," she said.

Events worker Sam Lliev, 19, said he wasn't sure, but he liked Judith Collins.

"She seems quite intimidating so I think she will stand up to the Labour Party well, but I'd like to see John Key stay to be honest," he said.

However, local barrister Rob Vigor-Brown said he would like to see Labour in power again.

"I'd like to see a Labour prime minister bring back the welfare state, for instance in our society child poverty is totally unacceptable."

Starbucks barista Haley Nelson, 23, said she didn't know enough to make an informed decision.

"There's no one that just comes to mind that I'd just be able to point my finger at."
An area manager, Natalie Galbraith, 33, said she hadn't even thought about it.

"We don't really have any suitable candidates. I think Hayley Holt would be my pick if I had to think about it."

Retired registered nurse Rosemary Tristram, 72, said she thought Bill English would be an appropriate choice.

"He's been there a long time and he's always strong and reliable," she said.

Crafts woman Pene Malaney, 50, said she wasn't sure who she would pick but it would have to be a woman.

"I just think they are more conscientious and very considerate and easier to talk to," she said.

Beneficiary Te Motoi Taputu, 50, said nobody in particular sprang to mind.

"Nobody springs out as being steps ahead of the others. Andrew Little doesn't spring out, maybe Metiria Turei from the Greens but there's some doubt in that as well," she said.

Public servant Tania Darwent, 37, also said she didn't know.

"I have no idea, mainly because I don't really see any of our politicians as being on the same par as John Key."