Cunliffe emerges from marathon meeting

Labour leader David Cunliffe, with his new whips, Carmel Sepuloni and Chris Hipkins, during his press conference after their marathon caucus. Photo / Mark Mitchell

David Cunliffe has emerged from a marathon meeting of his caucus with little to say about his leadership other than to announce two party whips.

With Mr Cunliffe's leadership in the balance following the weekend's crippling defeat Labour's caucus met for seven hours today but when Mr Cunliffe finally fronted to media this evening it was only to announce Chris Hipkins as his new senior whip and Carmel Sepuloni as junior whip.

"We've had a long and useful discussion of the election and its aftermath."

The party would immediately set up an independent review of the election

But asked whether he would resign Mr Cunliffe said "haven't made any decisions on that, all I will say is we've had some really useful discussions and we've got things to think about which we will do and we'll have further discussion at our next caucus."

The caucus was "not at that point" of having a confidence vote about his leadership.

"We have all made a decision that we've got a number of issues to consider and we won't be commenting on our confidential caucus discussions either now or in the future."

Asked whether any of his colleagues had declared they would stand against him for the leadership, Mr Cunliffe said "I'm not at liberty to discuss the caucus".

"I've said all I can say at the moment which is that we have had a range of discussions we've got a range of things to think about, we'll be continuing those discussions at the next caucus meeting."

Mr Cunliffe said the review of the party's election campaign would likely be conducted by two or more senior and qualified figures appointed by the party's council.

Earlier today, Mr Cunliffe called again for an early leadership contest and pledged to get behind whoever wins if he loses.

Flanked by his deputy David Parker, Mr Cunliffe said the party's ruling Council would launch an immediate review of the election today, but Labour had to get on with rebuilding as soon as possible.

"Uncertainty is deeply damaging to the party."

"We must stop the leaks, we must stop the infighting. It's not good enough. We need a leader confirmed for the caucus and party to get on. That leader may or may not be me."

He said that he would expect the same in return if he was successful in staying on.

His comments indicate he will not leave Parliament altogether if he is ousted as leader - something he has refused to confirm until now.

Mr Cunliffe said Labour's result was terrible and he took responsibility for that. "The voters are never wrong. We work hard but we are not yet seen as a credible alternative."