Justice Minister Simon Power, who had been widely expected to become the next leader of the National Party, has made his last speech in parliament without giving any hints about what he's going to do next.
Mr Power announced earlier this year he wasn't standing for re-election, stunning his cabinet colleagues.
He said he had decided to seek opportunities in the private sector and there has been speculation about which top job he might have his eye on.
But the fourth-ranked minister, who also holds the commerce portfolio, made no mention on Wednesday of his future plans.
Mr Power, 40, served three terms in opposition and the last three years in government.
He carried a huge workload, reforming the criminal justice system and financial market regulation.
He was unusual, and successful, in the way he worked with opposition parties to get legislation through parliament.
"Not everyone agrees with me on this approach, but I know I'm right," he said in his valedictory speech.
"My experience has been that expanding the decision-making mandate, without sacrificing the kernel of the idea, has improved the quality of the legislative product immeasurably."
Mr Power was passionate about helping victims of sexual violence, children caught up in the court system, and the extent of domestic violence in New Zealand.
He said there was still much for others to do about those issues.
"What the hell is it about the psyche of this country that we feel the need to go home and hit someone, be it a partner, child, or another family member?" he said.
"This is totally unjustifiable, wrong, and an indictment on us as a society."
NZN