WELLINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's Former Prime Minister John Key, who resigned suddenly three months ago, is to leave Parliament next month.
Key said Wednesday he would give his valedictory speech as a lawmaker on March 22 and his resignation from Parliament would take effect on April 14.
Key was first elected to Parliament in 2002 and quickly rose to become leader of the center-right National Party.
He led the party to three successive election wins in 2008, 2011 and 2014, before suddenly announcing his resignation as prime minister in December last year.
At the time he cited family reasons for his resignation, saying the post had required great sacrifices "from those who are dearest to me."
The National Party under Key never wavered far below 50-percent in opinion polls and general election results.
However, it has not had an outright majority in Parliament and has had to govern with the support of three minority parties.
Much of the party's success has been attributed to Key's laid-back personal style and his unflappable demeanor when facing major crises, such as the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, which killed 185 people, or batting away questions on the government's occasional embarrassments.
Key issued a statement Wednesday thanking all those who had backed him.
"We got New Zealand back on its feet, got people into jobs, got back into surplus, and tackled natural disasters," said Key.
He is reported to be considering offers of directorships on major international companies.
Key was succeeded as prime minister by his deputy Bill English, who will lead the National Party into the next general election in September.
