Christchurch win buoys Labour

Labour candidate Poto Williams.

Mood for change seen in quake city as a good omen for party's chances in next year's election, says Cunliffe.

Heartened by an emphatic victory in the weekend's Christchurch East byelection, Labour Leader David Cunliffe says the "mood for change" in the quake-hit city bodes well for his party's chances of recapturing Christchurch Central next year.

Labour candidate Poto Williams arrives in Parliament this week after trouncing National candidate Matthew Doocey with 61 per cent of the vote against Mr Doocey's 26 per cent.

That represented a turnaround on the 2011 election where, in spite of Lianne Dalziel holding the seat, National received a higher party vote than Labour, Mr Cunliffe said.

"We're really pleased. It's far better than we expected and it shows there's a real move at least within Christchurch," he said.

Looking ahead to next year's general election, Mr Cunliffe said Christchurch Central, which Labour lost in 2011 "will be a real battle and we have a few hurdles to cross for that one".

But the party had learned during the byelection campaign that "Christchurch people who've been affected by the earthquake, which is just about everybody, are heartily sick and tired of the slow rate of the rebuild and stressed and frustrated about the slow payout rates from the insurance industry.

"Some people are doing really well out of the rebuild but most aren't and there's a sense of unfairness that's come through, particularly in Christchurch East but more broadly as well.

"So I think there's definitely a seachange on in greater Christchurch in terms of the mood and I think Christchurch people increasingly want a fresh start next year. They've shown that in the mayoral election as well."

Through a spokeswoman, Prime Minister John Key said National didn't take any seats for granted, "and we're sure Christchurch Central will again be fiercely contested in 2014".

"However, we do not think the Christchurch East result makes winning Central any easier or more difficult."

Mr Cunliffe paid tribute to Ms Williams, saying she was "obviously a very good candidate who is a very genuine person" and who had demonstrated she cared for "a constituency that's been battered and bruised".