KEY POINTS:
Labour is to regroup in Opposition with a line-up that includes old faces at the top but also brings forward fresher blood likely to form the nucleus of the party in future years.
Leader Phil Goff set up some intriguing head-to-head parliamentary battles when he announced his shadow Cabinet yesterday, pitting his deputy, veteran MP Annette King, against National's rookie Social Development Minister Paula Bennett, and Clayton Cosgrove against Police and Corrections Minister Judith Collins.
Mr Goff waited to name his line-up until after Prime Minister John Key named the Cabinet. He has clearly made some strategic decisions designed to make life as difficult as possible for the new National Government.
"By and large the primary factor has been allocating portfolios according to the skills and interests that members of the Labour caucus have," Mr Goff said.
"We have taken note of some portfolios," he added, when asked about the influence of National's line-up.
Mr Goff named local government as one such posting, where Act leader Rodney Hide comes in as minister and Labour MP Shane Jones is picked to take him on. "This could be the testing ground for Act's ideology and right-wing policies," Mr Goff said.
Mr Goff had previously named David Cunliffe as finance spokesman and coming in at number four in the rankings. Right behind Mr Cunliffe is experienced campaigner Ruth Dyson - elevated suddenly to the front bench after sitting for years on the middle benches under Helen Clark's leadership.
Ms Dyson was at number 13 on the party's list heading into the election. She takes on health, where she is likely to prove a solid adversary for minister Tony Ryall.
Former Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia climbs to number five in Labour's rankings while Mr Cosgrove is a big winner - moving on to the front bench and into the high-profile law and order roles.
Maryan Street, who has been tipped as a future leader or deputy of the Labour Party, is placed at number nine. She was in this position on the party's list before the election and has been leapfrogged by Nanaia Mahuta, who steps up to number eight.
Ms Street's responsibilities - trade and tertiary education - appear to give her limited opportunity to shine in Opposition.
One of the big losers is long-time minister Pete Hodgson, who slips from number six in Cabinet to number 16 in Mr Goff's line-up.
Mr Hodgson takes on the immigration and defence roles.
Former lawyer Charles Chauvel finally gets nearer the ranking he has been seeking, shifting up to number 15 and taking the high-profile climate change role from former minister David Parker.
"It's an area of great interest for Charles Chauvel, he expressed a desire to pick that up," Mr Goff said.
"David Parker has expressed a desire to work in a number of other areas."
Mr Chauvel chaired the select committee that examined the emissions trading scheme this year.
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark and her deputy Michael Cullen will sit on Labour's second bench in Parliament, and they are both unranked.
Dr Cullen will be shadow leader of the House and Helen Clark will concentrate on foreign affairs. Mr Goff said he hoped both would stick around for as long as possible to help the youngsters, but he openly acknowledged the likelihood Helen Clark could take up an international role.
Prime Minister John Key has already indicated his Government would back Helen Clark in any bid to take on an international post.
Mr Goff intends to reshuffle his line-up ahead of the 2011 election.
Rick Barker is set to be nominated to take on the Assistant Speaker position.
