The smooth political transition from Don Brash (ex RBNZ Governor and respected economist) as leader of the National Party to John Key (ex foreign exchange dealer) highlights the fact that financial market/economist types are not just all about numbers. To succeed in politics anywhere, an understanding of people and how they are affected by the economy and Government is vital.

John started his career in foreign exchange in New Zealand with Elders Finance in the 1980s, progressed to Bankers Trust in the halcyon days during the 1990s when the NZ dollar was the darling of US hedge funds and currency speculators everywhere. As a highly successful trader in this market, he was taken by global investment bank Merrill Lynch to Singapore and on to London where he headed their global forex operations. John retired from the markets and returned to New Zealand five years ago to pursue a new direction in politics.