NZ PM John Key joins Twitter

Prime Minister John Key is joining the global Twitter microblogging phenomenon.

Twitter is a social networking website where people can join up to view posts from friends.

Key has so far posted five links to speeches and press releases about things like the Government's Job Support Scheme and an address to Grey Power.

"We're still in the set-up phase, but I already have over 600 "followers". I'll get more involved in future," Key said.

Twitter has become a global phenomenon with US celebrities Britney Spears and Ashton Kutcher attracting more than one million followers.

It sparked the attention of parliamentarians here when a right-wing blogger impersonated Labour MP David Cunliffe.

Cunliffe denied he had ever used the programme.

"I do not have, I have never had an account on the internet site Twitter.

I have never sent a tweet and I have never to my knowledge received a tweet," Cunliffe said.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark joked in her valedictory speech to parliament earlier this month that she might stay in touch from her New York-based United Nations job via Twitter.

"The texts will keep coming - and maybe even some tweets," Clark said.

- © Fairfax NZ News