KEY POINTS:
Labour MPs yesterday met for the first time this year and, to no one's surprise, re-elected Helen Clark as their leader and as a result Prime Minister.
The caucus gathering at the prime ministerial residence Premier House in Wellington took place in blazing sunshine.
Despite the weather, many ministers chose to take Crown limousines for the short trip from Parliament.
Among those who did walk were Climate Change Minister David Parker and Finance Minister Michael Cullen.
Dr Cullen quipped to journalists that he chose to stroll because he was "true" working class, a reference to National Party leader John Key and his rise to riches from a state house background.
Helen Clark did not want to talk about Mr Key though Labour MPs will certainly be looking at ways to neutralise the latest contender to kick her out of the top job.
At the moment there is no one in Labour who seriously sees him or herself replacing Helen Clark and she was relaxed about putting her job on the line.
Every three years, Labour must re-elect its leadership.
Going into the meeting Helen Clark told journalists: "It won't surprise you that I will be a contender."
Her spokesman later confirmed that there had been no surprise coup, and she and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Cullen were still in power.
Helen Clark will kick off the parliamentary year next Tuesday with the opening speech.
She said it would outline the programme for the year based on the theme of sustainability.
- NZPA
