National Party outgoing president Peter Goodfellow has acknowledged mistakes in his final speech, but says he does not regret trying to move the party into the 21st century.
Peter Goodfellow at the National Party's annual conference in Christchurch on 6 August 2022. Photo: RNZ / Craig McCulloch
He told members that serving in the role had been the "honour of my life".
Goodfellow's tenure has been marked by highs and lows, steering the party during its nine years in government, but more recently criticised for his handling of the 2020 election campaign.
He also came under pressure over a number of candidate selection blunders.
"In my time as president ... I've been proud of the work that we have done together to make National a stronger, broader, more diverse and inclusive party," Goodfellow said.
"We haven't always got it right, or achieved the results that we wanted, but I'll never live with regret of not trying new things, embracing new technology, or trying to help our party move into the 21st century."
Goodfellow thanked members for their support and "open, honest and direct" feedback during his presidency.
"Trust me, in my 50 years of being a member of the National Party, I've seen it all.
"But at the end of the day, political parties, like many families, are at their best when we are all working toward the same goal."
Goodfellow said he looked forward to celebrating a National victory in 2023.
"It has been the honour of my life to serve as your party president and I look forward to continuing to support whomever steps into this role."
Leader Christopher Luxon followed the speech with a brief tribute to Goodfellow, acknowledging his "incredible legacy".
"He has led us in some golden eras and some really good times. He has led us in some really tough times, and he has also more recently led us through the renewal you've seen over the last seven or eight months."
Luxon presented Goodfellow with a waka huia - an engraved treasure container - on behalf of the caucus.
In June, Goodfellow announced his resignation, saying "the time [was] now right" for him to step down.
Goodfellow saw off a challenge for the role from fellow board member David Carter last year, prompting Carter's abrupt resignation.
