As has been the pattern for several years, Mr Key used his address to reflect on the Government's four priorities: to responsibly manage the Government's finances; to build a more competitive and productive economy; to deliver better public services to New Zealanders; and to support the rebuilding of Christchurch.
There were eight pages of speech and not one explained what Mr Key wanted to achieve by year's end.
Instead, he talked predictably about spending more money on infrastructure, the reduction of ACC levies later this year, the Business Growth Agenda, the controversial Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement and reform of the Resource Management Act.
Legislation will be introduced to create an ocean sanctuary in the Kermadec region and the Government will continue with its review of the emissions trading scheme.
There will be some work on irrigation and broadband. And, of course, work will continue to increase the supply of housing in Auckland.
Aspirational goals for the country are being ignored and for no good reason.
The Government's finances are not infinite and Mr Key acknowledges the threat falling dairy prices are to the economy.
Growth in the nominal economy is forecast to be about $17billion lower over the next five years than was expected in last year's Budget.
This flows through to less tax revenue, lower operating balances and slightly higher debt.
The Prime Minister remains optimistic the forecasts will not change the Government's overall fiscal strategy, which is to keep a tight rein on spending, focus on results from public services, start to pay down debt and start returning any excess revenue on top of this to taxpayers.
The operating allowance remains at $1billion for Budget 2016, $2.5billion for Budget 2017 - an election year - and $1.5billion for both Budget 2018 and Budget 2019.
If Mr Key wants better living standards for New Zealanders, less poverty, fewer children living in non-insulated houses, better wages and conditions for working Kiwis, it can only be found by reading between the lines of his speech and all of it has been previously announced.
The Prime Minister's Statement to Parliament provides the prime minister of the day with an opportunity to set out priorities, aspirational goals and desires he or she wants to achieve for New Zealanders.
Of course the economy is important, because without economic growth the country stagnates, unemployment rises and living conditions become much harder.
There is no rule a National Party Prime Minister has to abide by the unwritten rule of being bland at best and boring at worst.
Mr Key did not have to announce more new spending and reiterate the long list of legislative changes already announced.
All he needed to do was ignite a spark.
To be fair, however, the Opposition replies were not enthralling and mainly contained criticism of Mr Key and his Government.
There is a lack of energy permeating Parliament as it starts the year as it ended 2015.
It is not an election year, when promises flow freely.
Members of Parliament must not spend the year pandering to their own personal obsessions.
New Zealanders deserve and need an inspirational and aspirational focus.
Sports teams and successful community and business leaders are giving New Zealanders what elected representatives are failing to do: winning strategies and a chance to feel proud of ourselves.
