Steven Joyce was a bundle of nerves ahead of his valedictory.

The former Minister of Finance, Economic Development and a raft of other portfolios, gave an emotional farewell speech when he addressed Parliament for the final time last night.

It also concludes his time as a regular on Newstalk ZB's 'Politics Wednesday' slot - a gig he's done for nine years and five months.

He told Mike Hosking he was as 'nervous as a kitten' before making his final speech - something he didn't realise would be so hard to do.

"It was a real privilege to serve. I'm overwhelmed with the number of people that have come up to me on the street and just shook my hand and said thanks."

In their final slot on the radio together, Labour's Stuart Nash paid tribute to Joyce's work.

"I think Steven long-term legacy will be the way he rebuilt the National Party as the campaign manager and took them to 3 victories. That's where I believe Steven's best work was done and will be remembered."  

LISTEN TO 'POLITICS WEDNESDAY' WITH MIKE HOSKING