Labour Party

New Labour leader David Shearer used his major debut speech in Parliament as Opposition leader to promise change in Labour following last month's election loss.

David Shearer appears to have made a reasonably sure-footed start to the Labour caucus leadership in the naming of his line-up on Monday. His publicised priorities were "renewal", "unity" and - somewhat belatedly - "talent".

Labour finance spokesman David Parker faces a daunting task of not only taking on Finance Minister Bill English in the House but in also keeping his four associate spokesmen in line.

The final shape of Labour leader David Shearer's new front bench will be announced this afternoon but late yesterday a question mark remained as to whether it would include defeated leadership challenger David Cunliffe.

Newly-elected Labour Party leader David Shearer yesterday portrayed himself as a fresh face for the party, representing a fresh start for New Zealand.

Dunedin North MP David Clark and Dunedin South MP Clare Curran will need to make a difficult decision on Tuesday when they decide who to support as the new leader of the Labour Party.

Labour leadership contender David Cunliffe says the party cannot risk a "false start" by choosing the wrong leader in the contest, and has taken aim at his rival David Shearer's lack of experience.

Labour MP David Cunliffe is still confident he can win the party's leadership contest against David Shearer, saying he believed at least 6 to 10 MPs were either undecided or could change their minds - enough to give him the win.

Prepare the high altar for sacrifice. The Labour Party can dither no longer. Some of its most sacred cows are in need of slaughtering.

New Dunedin North MP David Clark is expected to rise quickly through Labour's ranks as the party rebuilds.

Dunedin South MP Clare Curran is back for a second term in Parliament, but says she will study the numbers after seeing her majority slashed and party vote usurped by National in the traditional Labour stronghold.

The challenge within the Labour Party to decide its next leader and deputy leader has the potential to split the party apart after Labour's hammering at the polls on Saturday night.

Labour leader Phil Goff will enter the final week of the campaign this morning with his morale high after a successful rally in Auckland yesterday.

On a sizzling hot day in New Plymouth an army of young Labour supporters are enthusiastically waving "Vote Little - Labour" placards and handing out stickers and pamphlets.

Labour Party deputy leader and social policy spokeswoman Annette King paid a flying visit to Dunedin yesterday, meeting some of those who live and work at the welfare coalface.

Is the surge in support for the Greens the result of the party doing most things right? Or is it simply down to almost everything going wrong for Labour?