So how will John Key the Prime Minister be remembered? We look back at John Key's career, from his bromance with Barack Obama, pony-gate scandal and party politics during his three terms as this country's leader.
When John Key became the leader of the National Party in 2006 he said, "Māori are the tangata whenua and we have nothing to fear by acknowledging that."
John Key became the Prime Minister six years after entering politics.
The Māori Party made the controversial decision to back National then, and they've been in government together ever since.
For Māori, they've created Whānau Ora, the decile rating in schools and Charter Schools, changes are also being made to Child Youth and Family.
The government also granted Ngāi Tahu extraordinary powers of authority after the 2011 earthquakes, giving them the same status as a local council.
But during his three terms, he would not make te reo Māori compulsory in schools.
Last year, he hit the headlines for disrespecting te reo Māori while visiting Waiuku College.
The signs were his leadership was starting to unravel.
International media made fun of him for pulling his barista's ponytail, making international headlines.
John Key refused to step onto Te Tii Marae this year after he became frustrated with his treatment there as the Prime Minister.
He failed to convince New Zealanders, they needed a new flag, controversially spending $24mil on the two referendums.
Earlier this year, kiwis took to the streets in opposition to the Pacific-wide free-trade agreement, the TPPA.
Key refused to listen and forged ahead until it was thrown out by the new American President-elect Donald Trump.
John Key says he has no future plans except to spend time with his family.