Labour readies new front bench

David Shearer. Photo / Getty Images

The final shape of new Labour leader David Shearer's front bench will be announced this afternoon but a question mark remained over what role defeated leadership challenger David Cunliffe would take.

"We want to reflect that there's change and it's fresh faced and I think people will see that tomorrow," Mr Shearer said yesterday.

He said former finance spokesman Mr Cunliffe "will have a very senior role" but he refused to say whether that would be on the front bench.

"A few things have to be confirmed, so until I've confirmed them I can't go any further with it."

Mr Cunliffe would not comment yesterday but the Herald understands his role had yet to finalised by late yesterday.

David Parker is expected to receive a high place and possibly the finance spokesmanship previously held by Mr Cunliffe. That leaves five spots on the eight-strong front bench to be filled from a field which is likely to include Mr Cunliffe, his running mate Nanaia Mahuta, Jacinda Ardern, Shane Jones, Maryan Street, Sue Moroney and Clayton Cosgrove.

Mr Shearer said mending fences between Labour's various factions, including that which supported Mr Cunliffe and Ms Mahuta, was not the principal factor in the overhaul of the front bench.

"We're basing our line-up on talent really as the number one criteria and there's plenty of talent no matter who supported who."

However the selection would give the public "a pretty clear indication of where we want to focus on in the next two years".

Labour's direction would also be clearly set out in the address-in-reply on Wednesday where Mr Shearer will give his first major speech as leader.

While he said that speech would highlight some of the areas where Labour does not agree with the Government, "what I will also try and do as well is to set out some of the priority areas we see as being important for New Zealand".

While he promised to fight hard on issues where the two parties disagreed, he indicated that under his leadership Labour was prepared to work with Prime Minister John Key's National Government where appropriate.

"I want to keep an open mind on that. If there are things that are issues that stretch into the longer term that we think are beneficial for New Zealand, that if there was a change in Government in 2014 we would have to pick up, then I think we should work together, and we're happy to do that."