Talking to the Queenstown Times yesterday after confirming his $1 million donation to the NZOC, Mr Edgar said the move would allow him to spend more time working on the inaugural Winter Games NZ, which would be held in Wakatipu and around Otago in August.
The time he had spent on work for the NZOC would now be devoted to the games - and Mr Edgar said he would stay committed to the event beyond its initial year.
The establishment work continues this week with a meeting between sponsors and management scheduled for today.
Looking back over his time on the NZOC, he said he was proud to have left the committee in better shape financially than when he first took on the presidency - not least with a personal donation of $1 million as a parting gift.
As well as being an incentive for others to contribute to the organisation, Mr Edgar said the money would provide for athletes and groups who would be able to apply for funding on the interest earned, which he estimated at between $70,000 and $90,000 a year.
"We have missed out on doing some things through lack of money . . . [The NZOC] is a very tight ship," Mr Edgar said.
When asked what he felt proudest of in his time on the committee, Mr Edgar cited four top achievements.
"We have now got an outstanding management team; the NZOC is in a lot stronger position financially; we have delivered outstanding games performances, highlighted by the Beijing Games last year and we have created a wonderful museum in Wellington."
Having been made a member of the Olympic Order in recognition of his contribution to the NZOC and sport in New Zealand, Mr Edgar felt "very humbled" by the reaction from the committee when he made the announcement.
"There were a lot of lovely comments, also for [his wife] Jan who has helped out a lot."
Mr Edgar's association with the NZOC will continue as he wants to keep helping it.
The committee owns the overall rights to Winter Games NZ.
