<p>Currency trader becomes PM of New Zealand. <br /> Profile: John Key </p> <div class="mxb"> </div> <!-- S BO --> <!-- S IIMA --> <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="226"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div> <img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45186000/jpg/_45186955_-8.jpg" alt="John Key makes acceptance speech" border="0" height="170" hspace="0" vspace="0" width="226" /> <div class="cap">John Key made his fortune as a currency trader </div> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <!-- E IIMA --> <!-- S SF --> <p class="first"><b>John Key made a fortune as a currency trader before returning to New Zealand to pursue his political ambitions.</b> </p> <p>Critics said that with only six years' experience as an MP, he did not have the experience to successfully lead New Zealand as prime minister. </p> <p>But after rejuvenating the centre-right National Party, he has swept to power in an election dominated by change. </p> <p>"In their hundreds and thousands across the country they have voted for change," he said after his victory. <!-- E SF --> </p> <p><b>Long-held dream</b> </p> <p>John Key was born in Auckland and brought up by his mother after his father died when Mr Key was only six years old. </p> <p>After training as an accountant, he became a currency trader in New Zealand, before moving to Singapore and then London. <br />During a successful, and highly-paid career, he earned the nickname "smiling assassin" for his ability to remain cheerful while making staff cuts. <br />In returning home and running for political office he "fulfilled a long-held ambition". </p> <p>He won the Helensville seat in 2002 - and again in 2005, having increased his majority eightfold. </p> <p> <br />Mr Key, who is married with two children, was elected leader of the party in 2006. <br />Analysts says he has forced National into the political middle, accepting Labour policies such as the anti-nuclear law and the deployment of troops to Afghanistan.But his pledge to lower taxes and get tough on criminal gangs also appealed to voters. </p>