Trevor Mallard's salary, perks in Ambassador to Ireland role revealed

After almost four decades as a politician, former Speaker Trevor Mallard has given Parliament his Irish goodbye.

He's just given his valedictory speech before heading off to be a diplomat and his last words were - mostly - diplomatic. 

Surrounded by children and breastfeeding mothers who he made feel welcome, Mallard said his goodbye on Thursday afternoon.

"I accept that I've never been a good politician," he said. 

After a colourful four decades as a politician, he kept it diplomatic. 

"We mostly treat each other better. But we have work to do."

Even on his last day, Mallard was still haunted by his decision to trespass former Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters from Parliament for the protest stroll.

Peters sued and on Thursday he released the High Court judgment, confirming in black and white it was "unreasonable and irrational". 

Mallard's now off to be a diplomat. Newshub can reveal the Irish Pot o' Gold he's lucked into as New Zealand's new Ambassador to Ireland. 

It pays between about $180,000 – $250,000 and includes accommodation and two trips home over the three-year appointment.

"I think people will be disheartened to see bad behaviour not only get no consequences but be positively rewarded," said ACT leader David Seymour. 

Mallard's never been one to pull punches but did get in trouble for throwing one at an Opposition MP in 2009. His reputation to the public might be that of a hothead.

But to his colleagues, he's known as a generous man, mate and mentor.

"He is someone who I have enormous respect for, who I am enormously frustrated by at times, who I will miss because I regard him as a very good friend," said Labour's Chris Hipkins. 

"As a member of the LGBT community, Trevor has been the most staunch ally of our community over decades. He was the numbers man on the homosexual law reform in 1986," said deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson.

"Privately, he's an incredibly generous person," said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. 

Mallard said others "will judge whether New Zealand is a more inclusive, prosperous and better country and my role in that".

His grandkids were in the House to seal his legacy for his send off.

A very diplomatic ending to a very political career.