Former NSW premier Mike Baird has revealed that part of the reason behind his shock decision to quit politics was because his three children were being bullied.

Mr Baird says his daughters were bullied “horrendously” on social media as a result of some of his controversial policies, including Sydney’s lock-out laws.

His eldest daughter Laura even moved from Sydney to Port Macquarie to escape the bullying.

“They are not things you obviously share at the time. But any parent will know how that feels,” Mr Baird told the Australian Financial Review on Thursday.

Mr Baird was a big user of social media during his time as premier, and even used Twitter to announce his planned exit from politics in January.

At the time he said part of the reason for his decision to walk away after two years and nine months as premier was that his parents and sister were facing serious health issues and he wanted to spend more time with them.

Once the most popular politician in the country, Mr Baird endured a tough 2016, copping criticism over his controversial council amalgamation policy and lock-out laws, as well as suffering a humiliating backdown on his bid to ban greyhound racing in NSW.

But he insists he never wanted to stay in politics indefinitely.

“A lot of people who are cynical haven’t been there where there are TV cameras in front of the house early in the morning when your kids are just trying to get ready for school,” he told the AFR.

Mr Baird also defended his decision to take a senior executive job with National Australia Bank just six weeks after quitting politics.

“I needed to get a job,” he said.

-AAP