The Chief Archivist has found Prime Minister John Key had not been advised of his full responsibilities about keeping public records before deleting text messages.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

In November last year, the Green Party asked the Chief Archivist to look into whether Mr Key was destroying public records after he revealed he deleted all of his text messages.

At the time, Green Party MP James Shaw said this could be in breach of the Public Records Act, as texts on a ministerial phone were official correspondence.

Chief Archivist Marilyn Little today released her report, which focused on whether Mr Key had appropriate advice and support.

She found he was not advised of his full responsibilities under the Public Records Act, and the advice provided to all ministers was inadequate.

She has made recommendations to improve record keeping and support for ministers and said much of that work was already underway.