National MP David Carter has delivered his valedictory speech, after 26 years in Parliament

He says he entered through the mother of all by-elections, after Ruth Richardson resigned as MP for Selwyn - causing huge disruption for the Bolger Government.

Carter says it was a baptism of fire, and the only humour providing any relief to the tension was the last-minute selection of New Zealand First's candidate Sir Tim Shadbolt - who was not too ashamed to say he'd never read the party's manifesto and had no idea of its policies.