Prime Minister admits vasectomy

A news conference in New Zealand came to an awkward halt Monday after the country's prime minister acknowledged having had a vasectomy.

Prime Minister John Key was responding to questions about funding changes to early childhood education centres when he was asked whether he would send his children to one with fewer qualified teachers on its staff.

"I think if I sent my 15-year-old or 17-year-old to early childhood at the moment, they'd have a meltdown," he quipped.

What if his wife, Bronagh, had another child?

"I'd be extremely worried," Key said, "because I've had a vasectomy."

The acknowledgment caused reporters who were present to fall silent, and Key admitted that it was "probably too much information" for a press conference.

"Boy that's slowed things down," Key said. "Any other questions?"

One reporter recovered enough to ask, "Did it hurt?"

"Not overly, actually," Key said.