Story: Premiers and prime ministers

'New Zealand's darkest day'

Prime Minister John Key speaks to New Zealanders live on television following the earthquake that devastated Christchurch on 22 February 2011. Providing reassurance and leadership at times of national crisis is traditionally the responsibility of the prime minister.

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TVNZ Television New Zealand

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How to cite this page:

Gavin McLean, 'Premiers and prime ministers - The role of prime minister', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/33177/new-zealands-darkest-day (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Gavin McLean, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 1 Dec 2016