A secretive farewell party has been thrown for Winston Peters tonight.
The leader of New Zealand First and former Foreign Affairs Minister has been in politics for two decades and counting.
No media were allowed in to the Parliament event tonight - except for Newstalk ZB and the New Zealand Herald.
Political Editor Barry Soper says when he suggested the idea of a party after the election, Peters wouldn't have a bar of it.
However, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - who Peters picked to form a coalition with over National in 2017 - convinced him to return. 
Peters told the audience that it was all too much for a "simple country boy". 
"Consistency and continuity of New Zealand's foreign policy is also strengthened by those objectives of willingly transcending party interests; country first, party second. That's the New Zealand way."
In a speech, Ardern said Peters was determined to keep diplomatic postings for career diplomats and not politicians.
Soper told Heather du Plesssis-Allan that senior diplomats at the party touted Peters as a future ambassador to the United States. 
He also rated the party a three out of 10, as it is quite formal.
LISTEN ABOVE