Tim Barnett resigns as Labour Party General Secretary

Tim Barnett would not say what his new role was but said it would be announced in due course and was not directly involved in politics. Photo: SNPA / Ross Setford

Labour's General Secretary Tim Barnett is to step down from the Labour Party next month to take up a new job.

It will mean Labour's top three positions will all have changed since last year's election - the party leader, President and General Secretary.

Former leader David Cunliffe was replaced by Andrew Little in December last year and former Party President Moira Coatsworth also stepped down after the election as the party launched a review of its dire 25 per cent election result.

Mr Barnett, who held the role for about three years, said the election result and criticism of the party administrators in that post-election review over issues including fundraising had nothing to do with his decision to go.

"I think we've got some successes under our belt and with a new leader and a new president there comes a time they should get the opportunity to find a new general secretary. There was no pressure and I go with a very positive attitude towards the leader and party."

Ms Coatsworth and Mr Barnett presided over significant changes in Labour including the introduction of party-wide elections for the leadership rather than allowing caucus to elect the leader. They were also involved in including targets of women MPs in caucus although a more controversial proposal to allow women-only selections in some electorates was withdrawn. Nigel Haworth was appointed President in February. Mr Barnett's successor will be elected at the party's conference in October.

"Mr Haworth said it was with "sincere regret" that he would farewell Mr Barnett.

"During his time in the role the party has undergone significant constitutional reform and the party is in excellent heart. Tim has overseen Labour's Christchurch East, Ikaroa-Rawhiti and Northland by-election campaigns, as well as the 2014 election."

Mr Barnett would not say what his new role was but said it would be announced in due course and was not directly involved in politics. He would stay on with Labour as a party member and volunteer.