Updated February 13, 2018 14:21:03

Photo: Speculation had been building for some time that Bill English would step aside. (AAP: Lukas Coch)

New Zealand's opposition leader Bill English is quitting after losing last year's election.

The former prime minister said he was resigning as leader of the conservative National Party and leaving Parliament.

Mr English served as a politician for 27 years and took the reins as prime minister in December 2016 after his predecessor John Key resigned.

At the September election, Mr English sought to extend a nine-year hold on power for his party.

On election night, he appeared triumphant after National won the most votes of any party.

But the celebrations were short-lived, and the Labour Party went on to strike an alliance with two smaller parties and form a government under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Mr English served eight years as finance minister before taking the top job.

AP/ABC

Topics: world-politics, new-zealand

First posted February 13, 2018 13:46:38