"They say nice guys finish last in politics. On the contrary Mr Speaker, this nice guy is finishing first."
Foss was first elected as MP for Tukituki in 2005. He told Parliament that the difference between that time and now was Hawke's Bay now had confidence in its "awesome" potential.
"Hawke's Bay has the best environment, the best food, the best wine, the best apples, the best lamb, the best golf courses, the best beaches, the best restaurants, the best Iwi, and of course the best laid back, friendliest people."
Foss said, despite his experience, the "black box" of politics was often still a mystery. He recalled the first time he flew into Wellington as an MP in 2005.
"We were greeted by a pleasant chap offering us a ride into Parliament. He did seem. very interested in us, asking a lot of questions. We later discovered he was from the lobby firm, Saunders Unsworth, and used that information to complete a book about new MPs that they sold for about $600."
There were 24 new National MPs in the 2005 intake, Foss said, and the party whips were "terrified" of what so many idle hands could create.
"I still remember the classic line from the Whip, 'Talk to me if you have anything to hide and, in the meantime, read all the briefings to the incoming Ministers and select committee reports."
Foss recalled being at a business luncheon in Christchurch when the February 22, 2011, earthquake struck, and finding himself taking shelter underneath a table with former Deputy Prime Minister SIR Michael Cullen.
"As we left the smashed up restaurant, I turned to Michael and said, 'Mate, don't take it personally but I really didn't want to spend my last few hours under a table with you'. Naturally, he said the feeling was mutual."
Foss said he then called Gerry Brownlee, who sleepily told him he was in rehab.
"I hung up thinking, 'Wow, Gerry is in rehab.That's been kept quiet! Actually, it turned out that I had woken him up - Gerry was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia."
He paid tribute to the people killed in the earthquakes, and recalled visiting the family of a young Turkish woman who died in the CTV building, Didem Yaman, when he was in Gallipoli in 2015.
"There was a shrine to Didem in his home. Her passport, tandem skydiving photos, library cards, photos she had sent home of the adventure she was having in New Zealand were all on display."
Foss' past portfolios include veterans' affairs, small business, statistics, racing and broadcasting. He was also Associate Minister for Immigration and Associate Minister for Transport.
"My personal highlight in Government was as Minister of Veterans' Affairs. We owe the freedom of this House, this country, to so many others who put or were put between ourselves and danger.
"I am very proud to have led the policy change to allow repatriation of New Zealand soldiers buried outside of a recognised war cemetery."
Foss said he was proud to have appointed at least as many women as men to board positions during his time in politics.
"Diversity is not a threat, nor some silly trendy lefty idea. In fact, it is quite rational and sensible."
Foss announced his retirement from politics in December and ahead of a reshuffle by new Prime Minister Bill English.
In his valedictory, he said since then he had been in the "departure lounge" on Parliament's ground floor, next to the Press Gallery, which has photos of members going back 100 years.
"I could swear some of the current gallery members, who advocate for MP rejuvenation, feature in those old photos."
Foss paid tribute to his wife Kristal and daughters Sophie and Laura, for their support and patience during his "crazy" job that took all his attention and "blinded me to things that really matter".
