Trevor Mallard hangs up his Speaker wig - what politicians are saying about him

Trevor Mallard has hung up his wig as Speaker and is packing his bags for Ireland.

All rise for Speaker Adrian Rurawhe. The Te Tai Hauāuru MP was on Wednesday sworn in as Parliament's new referee.

"It is my expectation the House will hold the Government to account," he said after being elected.

One of his first moves as Speaker was shutting down former Labour MP Dr Gaurav Sharma.

Now exiled to political Siberia - sitting alongside Mallard - Dr Sharma made more allegations in the House.

"The Speaker [Mallard] said, well if you raise anything about a Labour colleague - any challenges - it would be the end of your career," the rebel MP said, leading the new Speaker to stand up and shut the MP down. 

Rurawhe's reign marks the end of Mallard's. 

After 35 years as an MP, he leaves a complicated legacy. The Father of the House is known for his love of bikes, breakdancing, and babies.

But blasting bangers at anti-mandate protesters, trespassing the former deputy Prime Minister, and, as an MP, wanting more moa meant more problems. 

But Mallard's determination to make Parliament more family - and dog - friendly and change its toxicity will live on after he leaves.

"Who can forget him holding babies in the chamber," said Greens co-leader Marama Davidson.

"Trevor's no doubt had his moments," said deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson.

"I think it's much better that we have some of those people in politics and public life than bland robots," said minister Michael Wood. 

Mallard's been appointed as the next Ambassador to Ireland.

"Trevor Mallard has had a more than 30-year career in politics. You don't spend that amount of time in this place without having a huge depth of understanding about New Zealand's priorities," said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

National leader Christopher Luxon wished "the Irish good luck".

"I think the new Speaker is going to have to work hard to restore the mana of the institution after Trevor Mallard's legacy," said ACT's David Seymour. 

Rurawhe says "every Speaker has their own way of doing things".

The MP is well-respected by all parties and was elected unanimously. His support couldn't be more in contrast to his controversial predecessor's.

Mallard was mute on Wednesday, telling Newshub simply: "Nope. Adrian's day."