John Key not worried by Labour's leaders

National leader John Key says he is not worried in the slightest by Labour's new leadership of Phil Goff and Annette King.

Leader Helen Clark and her deputy Michael Cullen stood down from their positions following their party's defeat on Saturday.

"It's hardly an overly inspiring move by the Labour Party," Mr Key said.

"I would've thought they've got some younger people that they might have wanted to bring forward, but in the end it's for them to choose their leadership team."

Mr Goff as leader and Ms King as his deputy have formidable experience.

Asked if he was concerned, Mr Key said: "Not in the slightest.

"We've got a very powerful Government that wants to make change in New Zealand, we campaigned hard on that. New Zealanders gave us an overwhelming mandate to deliver a brighter future for New Zealanders and that's where our focus of attention will be and not on the Labour Party and whatever internal machinations take place there."

United Future leader Peter Dunne said it was a clear choice. "I think probably in the circumstances it is the obvious choice - whether it is more than a transitional team though is still to be resolved."

Act leader Rodney Hide was more gracious. He congratulated the new leadership and recognised the "extraordinary service" of Helen Clark and Dr Cullen.

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons congratulated the new leaders.

"Well, they are both very experienced and they are both very competent and I wish them well."

- NZPA