Sir Gordon, who guided the team to 12 World Rugby Sevens Series crowns and four Commonwealth Games gold medals, opted not to sign a new contract.

The 60-year-old says he will now pursue his "next steps" and hopes to remain involved with the sport at some level.

It comes after New Zealand’s men’s team failed to make it past the quarter-final stage at the first-ever Olympic rugby sevens competition at Rio 2016 as they suffered a 12-7 reverse at the hands of eventual champions Fiji.

"I love the sevens game and I'm immensely proud of what I've achieved and what all our players have been able to achieve in my time with the team," he said.

“We were all incredibly disappointed with our results in Rio, but we have to acknowledge just how far sevens rugby has come. 

"It's become intensely competitive and the Olympics proved just how tough it is to win at this level these days.

"I'm sure lessons will be learnt and I wish my successor all the best for the Sevens Series ahead and for the Tokyo Olympic Games."

Sir Gordon added: "I've loved my time in sevens and I aim to still be involved in some capacity.

"I'm now working through what those next steps are."

The All Blacks were hotly tipped to earn at least a podium finish in the Brazilian city but were unable to progress beyond the last eight.

Their chances were hampered early on in the tournament when Rugby World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams, one of the stars of the team, injured his ankle in their shock opening loss at the hands of Japan.

The problem ruled Williams out of the rest of the competition and his team-mates struggled in his absence.

"The number of former sevens players who've gone on to become All Blacks speaks for itself and demonstrates the incredible impact that Titch [Tietjens] has had on our game," New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said.

"To put the length of his career into context, when he first began in this role rugby was an amateur game, Jim Bolger was Prime Minister and several members of the current All Blacks sevens team hadn't even been born.

"New Zealand Rugby and our country owe him a debt of gratitude for the legacy he's left behind and all the memories and careers he's shaped along the way."