He says he is still fit and raring to go, but it was time to be ''fair'' to his wife and to himself.
''I am very fortunate and I am going to be sad the day I go but I am 72 this year, and there is your home life and work life to balance.''
His workers are mostly referred to him by Work and Income New Zealand and Mr Griffin was keener to talk about their contribution than his own.
''The big thing is the value of the work these people do. Some of those jobs are not so interesting but they will go in and just do it.
''I get a bit annoyed at how unemployed people are used as a political football and this place is often under threat.''
Workers are either paid a wage as Task Force Green workers or given a participation allowance if they are volunteers.
He has about 40 workers at the moment, fewer than the 70 he is used to having, but says that is due to recent changes in the Government's policy and he is simply getting fewer referrals.
Task Force Green comes under the management of the Dunedin City Council and most of the work it does is for ratepayers.
Graffiti removal and landscaping jobs are a big part of the work but Mr Griffin and his team are also happy to help out other groups and individuals where there is a pressing need.
That could include delivering firewood for people who could not do it themselves or maybe helping someone shift out of their home after they find themselves in a difficult domestic situation.
He knows what it is like to lose his job, having been made redundant from the Burnside Freezing Works after 22 years there.
''I have had a lot of success [finding employment for people] but not as many as I would like because it is still very hard out there,'' Mr Griffin said.
Task Force Green worker Barry Marechal said there would be ''a big gap'' to fill when Mr Griffin leaves next month.
