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New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has announced his retirement as the country's leader, saying he had "nothing left in the tank" and it was time to move on.
Mr Key made the shock announcement at a press conference on Monday.
"A good leader knows when it's time to go, and it's time to go."
His voice wavered as he said he had "given everything I could to this job" at great cost to his family.
Mr Key said he had never seen himself as a career politician, and "did not believe I could look the public in the eye" and say he planned to serve out a fourth term.
"I gave everything I had, I had nothing left in the tank."
He had recently marked his eighth anniversary as Prime Minister and 10th year as leader of the National Party, a chance "not only to take stock of the past 10 years but also to look forward".
He said his time in charge of the country had been "an incredible experience", mentioning his government's work in steering New Zealand through the global financial crisis, the Christchurch earthquakes and the Pike River mine disaster.
"Throughout these years, I have given everything I could to this job.
"I've never wanted my success to be measured by how long I've spent in Parliament."
Mr Key said his time as Prime Minister "had come at quite some sacrifice from the people who are dearest to me, my family".
His wife Bronagh had given up plenty of her time, while his children Steffie and Max had to "cope with an extraordinary level of intrusion".
However, Mr Key said the family had had "remarkable opportunities and experiences", while he had thoroughly enjoyed the job.
"Simply put for me, it has been the most remarkable and satisfying time of my life."
The National Party would meet next Monday, December 12, to choose his replacement as leader, after which he would tender his resignation to the Governor-General, he said.
While it was up to the party to decide, Mr Key said believed Deputy Prime Minister Bill English would "be a fine Prime Minister".
Mr English has always been firm in the past that he's tried the job, it didn't work and he had no interest in having another go.
But Mr Key's support may indicate either a change of heart, or wishful thinking from the Prime Minister.
Mr Key said he would resign from Parliament some time before the 2017 election, and looked forward to a life that would be much quieter.
Mr Key said he had no immediate plans, but told reporters he would stay in Parliament long enough to avoid a byelection for his seat.
During the press conference, Mr Key outlined the highlights of his term, including the overhaul of justice agencies, trade liberalisation and advanced race relations.
Mr Key said he felt that New Zealand had become a lot more confident and outward-looking during his time as Prime Minister.
He said a new flag would have been the ultimate expression of that, and he wished he had pushed a bit harder for it.
He said he was "not so convinced" that the playing field had now been levelled for the opposition Labour Party.
"I think [Leader of the Opposition] Andrew Little believes in being more left wing, I don't knock him for that, I respect him," he said, but added that New Zealand would still vote for the kind of leadership it wanted.
He did not believe that was the type of government Labour was offering.
Sam Sachdeva, Stacey Kirk, Henry Cooke (Stuff.co.nz) with AAP
More to come
