The meeting at Waitaki Girls' High School was dominated by about 150 year 12 and 13 pupils from St Kevin's College, Waitaki Boys' and Waitaki Girls' High Schools, and about 50 members of the public.
His speech was dominated by advice to the pupils about their future, education, New Zealand's place in the world and the introduction of the Government's broadband internet access programme.
He also had lifestyle tips - the need to change New Zealand's drinking culture and its effect on young people and: "If you smoke, the blunt message is stop. Nothing is more sure to kill you than smoking."
After he spoke, two pupils from each of the schools had the chance to ask questions. These covered preserving New Zealand's clean, green image, allowances for tertiary students, a universal allowance to student studies, the United States' ability to resolve its debt crisis long term, national standards for education and the age restrictions for purchasing liquor and drivers' licences.
Mr Key said changes to drinking ages was a conscience vote for members of Parliament.
His personal view was 18 years for purchasing liquor in bars, restaurants and controlled premises and 20 years for off-licences.
Premises such as bars and restaurants were highly supervised environments where bar managers had to refuse to serve people affected by alcohol.
Off-licences selling to 18-year-olds were effectively supplying 13-to-14-year-olds.
Raising the off-licence age limit to 20 years would lift that to 17-to-18-year-olds.
Mr Key was greeted at the meeting by a small group of protesters, six members and supporters of the Labour Party opposing asset sales and three from the New Zealand Education Institute protesting any cuts to early childhood education.
After the meeting, Mr Key officially launched Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean's re-election campaign.
Early yesterday he spoke to pupils and the public at Geraldine High School, then travelled to Waimate High School to meet pupils and invited social service representatives.
Late yesterday he visited Palmerston and Waikouaiti before travelling on to Dunedin.
