Former prime minister John Key to become an Air NZ director

Former prime minister John Key has taken a directorship with Air NZ. Key, who in March left Parliament after resigning following 8 years in power, will be a director from September. Air NZ chairman Tony Carter said it had been trying to get Key as a director since the former prime minister announced his resignation in December. "John will bring extensive international commercial experience, outstanding leadership skills, global perspective and a keen understanding of the tourism sector gained during the years he was tourism minister as well as prime minister of New Zealand." Key said he was delighted to have been approached by the Air NZ board. Carter said the airline's growth of its international operations around the Pacific Rim were a strong focus for which it wanted a director with international experience. <br/>