In Coastlands shopping mall on the Kapiti Coast, Mr Key appeared to deflect a serious attack from Labour that he had been linked to some fraudulent deals in the 1980s.
But the Greens had more success with their little ambush.
As Mr Key strode through a local shopping mall, Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons confronted him.
She said she was angry some of his MPs had been telling farmers that National might pull out of the Kyoto Protocol and that farmers would not be part of any emissions trading scheme (ETS) under a National government.
Mr Key was momentarily framed in camera shot with gleeful Green supporters waving their banners around as he ruled out dumping Kyoto or leaving farmers entirely out of the ETS.
Ms Fitzsimons almost appeared to be channelling the spirit of her late-colleague Rod Donald, who loved a good campaign stunt, as she told the media that if Mr Key refused to share a stage with her then she would come to him.
But in the scheme of things it did little to wipe the smile off the National leader's face as he dodged the mud from H-Fee allegations and promptly moved to throw it back in Labour's face.
It was reported yesterday Mr Key faced accusations of misleading the public about his knowledge of one of the country's most notorious white collar crimes.
But it was not all plain sailing for Mr Key...as he was robbed blind by one youth who asked for $20 to perform a back-flip for the cameras.
When he did the stunt, Mr Key forked out and even signed the note.
Mr Key looked a touch uncomfortable with the quick talking teenager and quickly took off a cap when it was placed on his head...perhaps worrying how the all-powerful cameras would portray the image.
