John Key

Wellington, June 1 NZPA - Headline writers around the world were able sharpen their pencils -- and gird their loins -- with the news that Prime Minister John Key has had a vasectomy.

A line of questioning during a Beehive press conference yesterday led Mr Key to reveal he had had the operation and that it was highly unlikely he and his wife Bronagh would have more than two children.

Britain's Daily Mail reported that Mr Key was actually able to silence a room full of press with the admission.

"Moved to wince," said the headline in the Sydney Morning Herald.

"Too much information: New Zealand PM tells reporters about vasectomy," Canada's Associated Press headline proclaimed.

"'I've had a vasectomy': New Zealand PM cuts press conference short," said Britain's The Guardian newspaper.

Yesterday's admission did stun most of the reporters at the conference but one reporter sufficiently recovered to ask: "Did it hurt?"

"Not overly actually," Mr Key replied.

Another reporter then wanted to know if it was a budget cut.

"All I can say is it's been highly successful but anyway we won't get into that either."