Labour leader David Cunliffe has brought back into the fold former New Labour and Alliance Party founder Matt McCarten who left Labour with Jim Anderton, upset with the asset sales programme being run by the then David Lange-led government.
Mr McCarten, Mr Cunliffe's new chief of staff, is a shrewd political and union activist but hardly someone who will capture centre votes for the party languishing in the polls. Over the years, he has moved progressively left, even to the extent of standing for the far left-wing Mana Party led by Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira.
If Mr Cunliffe believes the appointment of Mr McCarten will unify his caucus, he may have to wait some time. It is more than likely Mr McCarten's main role will be to hurry along the renewal process of MPs with some of the longer-serving MPs seemingly determined to stay glued to their taxpayer-funded jobs for as long as possible.
It has been a big political week with Act New Zealand founder and former Labour and Act MP Richard Prebble returning to the political fray as Act's campaign manager and the retirement announcement of one of National's former ''brat pack'' - Health Minister Tony Ryall.
Like Mr McCarten, Mr Prebble began his career in Labour but then shifted sharply right to form Act with Sir Roger Douglas, Derek Quigley and others.
Mr Prebble will bring backbone to the flailing Act party but whether his campaign can appeal to younger voters is a big unknown. One thing is sure, however. Mr Prebble will bring back funding to the struggling party. Already, there are signs of former, and older, financial backers lining up to fill the coffers.
Prime Minister John Key and the National Party have streamlined the renewal process for MPs in such a way to not cause any outrage from those set to leave. Former Cabinet ministers were quietly eased out still professing their support to the end for Mr Key and the Government.
Tony Ryall is in a different category. He has been a safe pair of hands in health for National, taking, until very recently, the bad news seen in previous years off the front pages. Several Opposition health spokespeople have failed to land a hit. Although Green MP Kevin Hague tried to link Mr Ryall's retirement from politics with his questions regarding allegations of fraud at the Southern District Health Board, it is unlikely that is the reason.
Mr Ryall came into Parliament aged 26 and has spent 24 years as an MP. At 49, Mr Ryall can look forward to a long career in private enterprise, something the long-serving Labour MPs are unlikely to enjoy.
And there lies the problem for Mr Cunliffe. He desperately needs new people in Parliament but with Phil Goff, Trevor Mallard and Annette King hanging on to their seats again, Mr Cunliffe still has people in his caucus who dislike him, distrust him and will take the opportunity to hurt his chances of leading the party to an election win later this year.
Mr Cunliffe had strong union support to become Labour leader and Mr McCarten, through his Unite union leadership, has a long reach into the union movement. But not all unions will welcome having to deal with Mr McCarten as the election draws closer as his nature is divisive not unifying. While Mr McCarten is said to have a role as chief of staff, his nature will be to try to influence the election campaign.
Gaining votes from the Green Party will be the first aim of Mr McCarten and with the party already slipping in the polls - perhaps because of co-leader Russel Norman siding with internet renegade Kim Dotcom - those votes will be easy pickings for Labour.
While Mr Key can remain confident he has the backing of his caucus, even with retirements looming, Mr Cunliffe still faces an uncertain year ahead.
New Zealand needs a strong Opposition to call the Government to account. Having a Labour Party continually in turmoil is not the solution the country is looking for in an election year.
