SHANE Howarth has pledged to give Newport 100 per cent for as long as he is here.

He has announced his decision to quit Newport and leave Wales to return home to New Zealand a year early at the end of the season.

He will leave with a huge tribute from Newport owner Tony Brown, who brought him to Rodney Parade and calls Howarth 'the ultimate professional.'

Howarth says he is finishing for family reasons and his decision has little or nothing to do with rugby.

"I came to an agreement to finish a year early with Tony, who has been fantastic about it," said Howarth.

"I haven't organised anything about my future yet, it's more a family decision than a rugby one," said Howarth.

"My grandparents have had enough of being without the boys when they are growing up (six-year-old Grayson and two-year-old Devlin).

"We like it here, there's more choice, but the lifestyle in New Zealand outweighs everything.

"I'd like to finish with something. It would be nice to end with something, you never know. I don't want to just walk away and I'll be trying 100 per cent.

"I can assure the boys and the supporters, who've been great, that they'll get the best out of me while I'm still wearing the black and amber jersey."

Asked to name his Newport highlights, Howarth replied: "Winning the cup and breaking the points scoring ecord, though according to most I can't kick anything.

"There was no pressure at the start, we just played rugby," he added referring to that first season with Gary Teichmann and company.

"Since then, there's been added pressure and we let the league title go at the end of last season. Then there's been this season.

"But there's been a great bunch of guys here, that's another big thing. Everyone is going to all four corners of the world, but we'll keep in touch.

"I keep in touch with Teich now, and I've known Simon (Raiwalui) the six years I've been here with Sale and Newport."

Brown paid Howarth a glowing tribute when he said: "He's the ultimate professional, an honourable man and I've been privileged to have been associated with him.

"I'm grateful he chose to come to Newport when the club fortunes were at a low ebb, particularly when more successful clubs were after him.

"It's a great shame he's finishing. He's been huge for the club in every way. He has conducted himself as a model professional on and off the field.

"He's been one of the world's greatest players. I remember that 1999 game at Wembley and the impact he made.

"I wish him and his family every success in New Zealand and I hope he'll take fond memories of Newport back with him, as I know our supporters will have of him."