Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key on Monday announced his resignation, saying the job had required sacrifices “from those who are dearest to me”, referring to his family. He said his children had endured “an extraordinary level of intrusion”, while his wife Bronagh had made “a significant sacrifice” during his eight-year term as prime minister, The New Zealand Herald reported.

His National Party will hold a caucus on December 12 – the date he set for his formal resignation – to choose the next prime minister. Key endorsed Deputy Prime Minister Bill English for the role.

“All I can say is that I gave it everything I had. I have left nothing in the tank,” the 55-year-old leader said, adding that he will not contest the 2017 elections. Key is credited with leading New Zealand out of the global recession in 2008. His victory in 2008 ended the Labour Party’s nine-year run in Parliament.