Neil Wagner bows out on NZ soil with a fairytale finish

Neil Wagner has played his final game on New Zealand soil after a career that spanned nearly two decades.

A 134-run victory over Otago, who Wagner debuted for 17 years ago, was sealed by the Northern Districts winning the Plunket Shield for the first time since 2012.

"It's the cherry on top mate, I couldn't have asked for a better way to walk off the field, it means so much," he told 1News.

"It's a dream come true. It's a bloody fitting way and a nice way to finish here and something I'll treasure forever."

Former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson scouted the fresh-faced 22-year-old after watching a VHS tape of him bowling in South Africa.

"I think the opposition was about 300 for two and Wags was still steaming in and letting off steam at the batsman so I liked what I saw," he said.

"Neil is a very gentle soul, a lovely family man, a guy that I love and respect very well, and I'm sure he'll do very well post cricket, but it's a bit sad to see, a bit of an icon, I guess, hang up the boots."

Wagner said: "I've forever been grateful, obviously, for Mike Hesson and the late Ross Dykes saw the potential in me and tried to get me over here and helped me along the way all the way."

The 64-Test retired from international cricket in February last year on the eve of the first Test of an Australian series.

Former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor said he believed it was a "forced retirement".

However, his domestic career went out on his own terms, coming full circle today with his final match on the same ground he debuted on.

"It's also quite bitter sweet, sad in a way, that this all came to an end. I'm bloody proud to call New Zealand my home and to be Kiwi now."

Wagner heads to Durham Cricket this year.