Steven Joyce hasn't quite achieved the power of a Corleone Godfather in the National Party.
If he had, he would have knee-capped his way to the leadership by now.
But under John Key and Bill English, he became incredibly powerful for someone who wasn't leader.
![Steven Joyce announces his retirement from Parliament. Photo / Claire Trevett](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/PL6VX7IJUAYLZVXMP5C6Q7TPDI.jpg?auth=56c9ace6261a58bad1a4abb5e7fc14466cc38b178bd77a3a70c1f6e30c1c5bd3&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
He became the oracle in political messaging and optics – what the party should be saying, who should be saying it and how.