The Tamworth egg farmer handed over the reigns of the party after serving the maximum allowed term. Historically, the chair of the Nationals often goes on to seek a political office, but Mr Burke say he's content to focus on his farm.

"I love politics, but I have no interest in being a parliamentarian," he said.

"For me, it was about uniting people from different backgrounds for a common purpose.

"The Nationals aren't an ideological party, we're just a regionally-based party. What we have in common is our remoteness and the disadvantage of distance."

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During his tenure, he's watched as the party's local superstars blossom in to politic powerhouses - Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall holds the influential agricultural portfolio and Gunnedah's Sarah Mitchell has risen to Education Minister.

With a number of long-time politicians retiring, Mr Burke oversaw a "changing of the guard", and he's confident the newcomers will fill the big shoes left behind.

"We've got two really good politicians coming in at the state level, with Gurmesh Singh at Coffs Harbour and Dugald Saunders at Dubbo," Mr Burke said.

"Federally, we've got Pat Conaghan in Cowper and Senator Perin Davey."

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Perhaps the most difficult challenge of Mr Burke's reign was the 2016 Orange by-election, which the Nationals lost to the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers by a handful of votes.

The Nationals were copping backlash for the government's decision to amalgamate councils and ban greyhound racing.

Combined with internal concerns about the pre-selected candidate, Mr Burke described it as the "perfect storm".

Mr Burke's one regret is he won't be chairing the party at its centenary celebration later this year.

"I won't miss the phone calls though - it's amazing how many you get," he said, with a chuckle.