Former Labour leader David Shearer has thanked those who put their faith in him and stood by him while he had the job.
The Mt Albert MP has given his goodbyes in Parliament as he heads off for a top UN job in South Sudan.
SEE ALSO: Shearer: South Sudan a 'remarkable' job despite dangers
Mr Shearer told Mike Hosking the key challenges will be managing the millions of displaced people and making political progress. He said the fighting and hostility in South Sudan needs to stop.
His departure will spark a by-election in his electorate.
Shearer said his political timing in taking leadership of the Labour Party wasn't quite right.
"It was coming in as early as I did, after just only two years in politics, coming in from overseas meant that I didn't have the roots perhaps that I needed in politics and in the Labour Party," he said.
Yesterday, Mr Shearer told the House being the Leader of the Opposition is the toughest job in politics.
"I can tell you, without doing it nobody knows quite how tough it is. Of course everyone around you is the world's expert on what you should be doing."
Shearer choked up as he talked about his wife, who he called his rock.
He received a standing ovation from both sides of the House.
LISTEN ABOVE: DAVID SHEARER SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING
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