Veteran TVNZ broadcaster Peter Williams has been flooded with thousands of well-wishes - and even a budding campaign to get him a knighthood - after signing off air for the final time as a 1 NEWS anchor last night.
"I first appeared on this network in July of 1979 as a rugby league commentator, and I wasn't a very good one either," Mr Williams said during the final moments of last evening's broadcast before co-workers formed a guard of honour as he left the studio.
"Over the years I've had a few jobs here, reported on a few stories, seen a bit of the world and enjoyed, well, pretty much all of it," he said, his voice momentarily quavering as he went on to thank his colleagues over the decades and the audience. "But everything must finish."
The touching moment has gone on to be the most popular clip on the 1 NEWS website and Facebook page last night and today, with a story about the moment having been liked on Facebook 17,000 times and commented on more than 1300 times.
Another video of the guard of honour has been watched 70,000 times so far on the 1 NEWS Facebook page, with many commenters openly admitting to their own tears as they used words like "legend", "a true storyteller" and "classy to the end" to describe the broadcaster.
"Prime Minister Ardern, nominate this man for a Knighthood please, he is most deserving," viewer Zane Gracie wrote on Facebook - a sentiment so popular that it was liked nearly 500 times by fellow Facebook users.
Wendy Petrie and Simon Dallow were on hand to farewell Williams in his final 6pm broadcast.
Debbie Bohmer described him as "one of life's true gentlemen", while viewer Kelly Mann echoed the sentiment of others by calling him "the father of the nation".
Many said they grew up with Mr Williams on the television, never remembering a time he wasn't there.
"Chur Pete you were in our home for many years our nan loved watching you have a gud retirement bro meri kirihimete," wrote Ronald Waiariki.
Gwen Manson recalled how he "read the news with dignity each evening", while Stephen Punter Snr described him as "a stable, professional, unflappable news anchor for as long as I can remember" and a man of integrity.
Mr Williams' fellow journalists have also heaped praise on him, with some giving him the moniker GOAT - greatest of all time - and others sharing fond and funny memories.
"Never forget when I did my first midday live cross 100 years ago and Peter gave me groundbreaking advice in my earpiece. 'Try not to f*** it up,' recalled producer Jonothan Williams on Twitter, adding the hashtag #legend.
1 NEWS Australia correspondent Kimberlee Downs wasn't ashamed to admit the tears flowed as she watching his exit from abroad.
"It's hard to describe just how lucky I feel to have been able to work with and learn from the legend that is Peter Williams," she said, echoing the sentiments of many. "Generous with his knowledge, a consummate professional, and one of the true broadcasting greats."
Jim Hickey walks away from the ONE News studio for one last time.
Some viewers compared Mr Williams' farewell yesterday to that of longtime weather presenter Jim Hickey, who retired in 2014.
"I grew up with Peter Williams and Jim Hickey on our screens," Renee Thurston wrote. "I remember feeling gutted when Jim retired and feel the same for Peter Williams."
David Matheson was among the many who expressed similar sentiments, adding: "All the best Peter on your retirement. Hopefully one day....Sir Peter Williams!"
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