Grant Robertson's decision to spurn the deputy leadership does not bode well for the Labour Party under its new leader.

David Cunliffe leveraged the "axe the copper tax" campaign in Parliament yesterday to signal he intends to keep waging war against John Key's Government.

John Key walked across Parliament’s debating chamber and shook David Cunliffe’s hand to congratulate him on his election as Labour leader before the battle commenced.

David Parker has been confirmed as Labour's deputy leader after David Cunliffe's leadership rival Grant Robertson made it clear he didn't want the job.

David Cunliffe's new train has left the station. Grant Robertson may be on board in body. But is he in spirit, asks John Armstrong.

Prime Minister John Key says next year's election will be a battle of ideas and he is taking the challenge laid down by new Labour leader David Cunliffe seriously.

The new Leader of the Opposition, David Cunliffe, will face off against John Key in Parliament today - his first and only chance for four weeks.

On his first full day as Labour's leader, David Cunliffe was talking tough. Very tough. He announced that Labour was going on a "war footing".

New Labour leader David Cunliffe hinted this afternoon that he will recommend Grant Robertson as his deputy at tomorrow's vote.

There was a conspicuous space on the wall in David Cunliffe's New Lynn office as he gave his first speech as Labour Party leader.

The new Labour Party leader is an ambitious, highly educated son of an Anglican vicar whose lofty goals and ego are seen as both an asset and a stumbling block.

Pressure on newly elected Labour leader to get it right The Labour Party can count its first open leadership election a success.

The long-suffering Labour Party faithful have given those MPs in the Labour caucus who cannot stomach David Cunliffe a collective bloody nose.

Former Labour leadership contender Shane Jones has thrown his "unstinting support" behind new leader David Cunliffe.

David Cunliffe has defeated Shane Jones, and Grant Robertson to become the new leader of the New Zealand Labour Party.

Labour leadership candidate Grant Robertson says he is disappointed to lose to David Cunliffe but the new party leader has his “100 per cent loyalty”.

Today is the final day of campaigning for three Labour Party leader hopefuls and all candidates say the message they have been given is for the party to stop bickering.

The frontrunner in Labour's leadership contest, New Lynn MP David Cunliffe, says it is still a close contest and he is not taking anything for granted.

If the Labour Party's deputy leader, Grant Robertson, is not the winner of its leadership election tomorrow, there will be some who say it was because he is gay.

The last minute scramble to woo wavering MPs in the very close Labour leadership contest is underway and will continue up until Saturday night, at least.

Claire Trevett hands out awards for contestants in Labour's leadership following a fortnight of entertainment on the hustings.

Grant Robertson could still win the Labour leadership on Sunday, despite public polling showing David Cunliffe is well in front, writes Audrey Young.

The Labour Party is in the process of choosing a new leader because members believed the party could not "win" the election with David Shearer as leader.

Four of the six unions affiliated to Labour now favour David Cunliffe to win the leadership contest that finishes next Sunday.

David Shearer says the point-scoring and "pettiness" of politics was boring and beneath him.