Labour leadership: More union support for Little

Labour Party list MP Andrew Little after announcing his intention to stand as Labour leader. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The Dairy Workers' Union has followed sister union EPMU by backing Andrew Little as next Labour leader -- delivering him almost half of the total union vote for the leadership contest.

Chris Flatt, the DWU national secretary, said the decision to endorse Little was unanimous on the union's executive.

"The Dairy Workers' Union support of Andrew Little is based on his deep involvement with union members and working people over many years and from the experience he brings from outside Parliament in leadership roles with the EPMU and as President of the Labour Party."

He said the executive weighed up the past experience of all four candidates, their efforts representing workers' interests and who was best placed to lead Labour into 2017 election.

As with the EPMU, that endorsement is not binding on the unions' delegates but amounts to a recommendation. The union vote is worth 20 per cent of the final tally while the members and caucus vote are worth 40 per cent each.

Between them the Dairy Workers' Union and EPMU are worth about half of the total union vote.

However, Mr Little is not the only one reaping endorsements -- Grant Robertson now has two knights backing him.

Former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer today added his name to the list of supporters on Grant Robertson's website, which also includes Sir Michael Cullen.

In his blurb, Sir Geoffrey wrote that Mr Robertson was Labour's best debater in Parliament and had a solid background in how government worked.

"He is of the right generation ... He is highly intelligent, and he has a heart. He will deliver the changes that are needed."

Other supporters who have previously endorsed Robertson on that website include comedians James Nokise and Urzila Carlson.