Outgoing Auckland mayor Phil Goff says he hopes someone a bit younger wins the mayoralty after he steps down in October.
Goff has worked in politics for 40 years and said while he enjoyed it, he could no longer give "150 percent", and it was time to bow out.
The 68-year-old told Checkpoint the baby boomers had had a lot of influence over the past two to three decades and he hoped a younger person would take on the role.
He had no endorsement for a candidate but did think councillor Efeso Collins - who has said he plans to run - meets the definition of a new generation of leadership.
"Efeso is certainly in the age category of a different generation. I think that's true and there'll be others no doubt now that I've made my announcement that we'll be potentially looking at throwing their hats in the ring.
Goff said the job of Auckland mayor is tougher than being a Cabinet minister, but maybe not as tough as being Leader of the Opposition.
He said the next mayor needs to be willing to give 100 percent, have the right skills and experience and the ability to work collaboratively with others. They need to be able to understand the city has lost $1 billion in revenue and have a vision to make Auckland a sustainable, inclusive and world-class city.
He told Checkpoint his biggest regret was the city being hit by Covid-19, shattering dreams the council had hoped for Auckland, doubling the transport infrastructure budget and making the region's water supply sustainable and resilient.
Asked if he might take a diplomatic post, he said he hadn't been offered anything but didn't want to go into retirement, nor work full time on his farm.
Goff finished the interview with a message to his wife Mary on this Valentine's Day.
"My biggest supporter, my biggest critic for the last 50 years has been my wife Mary. Love you, love you dearly and thank you for the support, the tolerance, getting behind me when I needed that support and telling me as it is and I wish you wouldn't have been so brutal some of those times."
Talking to reporters today, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she would let the Labour Party go through its own process of deciding whether it endorsed a candidate.
She was aware of Goff's plans not to stand again, being someone she has known personally for a long time. She acknowledged his service.
"Being a politician for the number of years that he's had whether or not that's been in central government or local politics - and as my first boss in politics I can personally attest to the fact that Phil Goff is a man of great integrity who has always focused on service to New Zealand."
