In Auckland to meet his new Zealand counter-part John Key, the prime minister couldn't help but be impressed with the reformist credentials of his conservative cousin.

Key has, with a minimum of fuss since being elected in 2008, raised the GST and cut income taxes, put Christchurch back on the road to recovery after a major earthquake, overseen the introduction of same-sex marriage and set New Zealand the ambitious target of a 50 per cent reduction in emissions over the next 50 years.

The Australian prime minister paid gracious tribute to his host on Saturday, noting that while at times the Australia might take New Zealand for granted, Key had led "a very successful, a really, really successful centre-right government for eight years now. There are lessons for Australia in what you've done" while noting Key's reformist credentials and new commitment to the mission in Iraq.

But Abbott's travails in his first 18 months stand in stark contrast to Key's success.

The security of Abbott's leadership has dogged him on this trip; clear air and time to govern have been denied the prime minister since the failed spill motion.

Some measure of schadenfreude could be detected in the New Zealand press pack, who tittered with delight when Key told an Australian journalist "I think it's a bit harsh to describe it [Australia] as one of the more unstable democracies in the Pacific".

The follow up question from a Kiwi scribe - "why not just end the stability that my colleague was talking about, why not just stand down?" – was blunt, and Abbott's reply instructive.

Governing a country was not easy, Abbott said, "particularly at a time when Australians are focusing on the glass half empty, rather than the glass half full. This is a particularly febrile and querulous time in our national life. But I'm just pushing on with the job".

Australia's Prime Minister revealed two things with this response.

The first, that he has an iron determination to dig in, ride out this current tempest and prevail, is known.

The second is that, despite the mea culpas, the barnacle scrapings and the promises to listen, consult and improve, some part of Abbott blames the Australian people, rather than himself for his current woes.

Abbott's belief could prove, eventually, to be fatal.

The lesson from Key for Abbott is that while politicians must lead, they must also take people with them – a goal the Australian prime minister has yet to meet.