On Tuesday five MPs left their careers in Parliament behind, all making their final speeches to the House.
Former Minister of Immigration Iain Lees-Galloway, embattled MP Clare Curran, Green MP Gareth Hughes and Labour MPs Ruth Dyson and Raymond Huo all gave their valedictory addresses on the same day.
Iain Lees-Galloway
He also acknowledged the inappropriate power imbalance which made his affair so problematic.
"We must recognise not only the imbalance of power but also the impact such a relationship can have on a workplace - that's why I have to go. Anyone who thinks otherwise has not been paying attention."
He praised the Prime Minister and her Government for their tireless work over the last three years - dealing with the Christchurch terror attack, the Whakaari White Island eruption, and then the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I never would have guessed that I would be the Immigration Minister who closed the border," he said.
"I mean, I knew we were in coalition with NZ First, but it still never crossed my mind."
Lees-Galloway wrapped up his address by citing his proudest achievements while in Parliament; putting in place legislation which saw the extension of paid parental leave to 26 weeks and increasing the refugee quota.
Raymond Huo
Labour MP Raymond Huo followed Lees-Galloway.
Huo started off with a joke about the mispronunciation of his surname as "who", saying if he ever decided to run again his campaign slogan would be "Huo cares".
Huo said he was proud of his involvement in launching New Zealand Chinese language week to increase awareness of Chinese language and culture.
He finished up his address by thanking Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Finance Minister Grant Robertson for their health and economic response to COVID-19.
"New Zealand is one of the safest places in the world, thanks to our response and the team of five million."
Finally Huo spoke of his pride to be Chinese New Zealander.
"Sometimes things that are Made in China or originated in China may not be that scary - they can be benefiting productive and healthy - just look at kiwifruit," he said as the House laughed and applauded.
Gareth Hughes
Green MP Gareth Hughes reflected on his 15-year-long career, saying he's "had a blast".
"[I] leave with a treasure trove of memories and values intact," he told the House.
Admitting he found it hard to balance politics with fatherhood, Hughes said he eagerly awaited a chance to spend more time with his children, and said he hoped Parliament would become more family friendly.
He says his passion for environmentalism has fuelled his work.
"Protecting our beautiful but fragile planet has motivated my life's work."
Clare Curran
Curran was caught failing to declare meetings multiple times, the first of which led to the resignation of Carol Hirschfeld from RNZ.
She was dumped from Cabinet in August 2018 after an undisclosed meeting with Derek Handley over the Government's vacant Chief Technology Officer role.
She resigned as a minister after flubbing questions from opposition MP Melissa Lee over her use of a personal Gmail account for ministerial work.
Curran revealed she was diagnosed with PTSD from the harrowing Question Time over her email use and had six to eight months of psychological treatment.
Curran began by thanking the people of Dunedin South and that she was "truly grateful" for the opportunity to be a Cabinet Minister.
The former Broadcasting Minister said Parliament could be a toxic place and it was with "pain and relief" that she gave her speech.
"Mine has not been an easy ride. Over 12 years I have been promoted and demoted more times than I can count."
She said she had made a "public spectacle of myself in the House".
She then blasted the media, saying they held an important democratic role but were not "judge and jury".
"Politicians should be held accountable but we are not prey."
Through tears she signed off, saying it "was time to pass the baton".
"That's a wrap."
Ruth Dyson
Finally it was Labour MP Ruth Dyson's turn to close out the valedictory speeches.
Dyson said it had been a privilege to serve Christchurch through the Port Hill fires, the Canterbury earthquakes, the March 15 terror attacks and floods.
"I have never witnessed before, and hope never to again, the raging power of wildfires," she said.
She listed her achievements she hoped would be her legacy including her involvement in the establishment of KiwiSaver, making New Zealand sign language an official language, marriage equality reform, ACC restructuring and the It's Not OK domestic violence campaign.
She signed off from Parliament, saying it wasn't the last time she would be heard from.
"It has been an absolute privilege. I really love the role and will miss it.
"I shall not depart like a thief in the night, nor shall I disappear into the shadows."
