Napier MP Stuart Nash has ruled himself out of the Labour leadership contest so he can turn his electorate into a "Labour fortress".

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell's appointment to head the newly rebranded Maori Development portfolio reflects a new focus for what used to be Maori Affairs, Prime Minister John Key says.

Maori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell has been appointed as a Minister after his party inked its confidence and supply deal with National this afternoon.

One of Labour's 2014 election candidates has written a stinging open letter to David Cunliffe, saying he would leave the party if Mr Cunliffe won the leadership contest.

After an initial flurry of snipes, Labour's new interim leader David Parker said he expected the forthcoming battle for the leadership to be "seemly".

Under pressure ahead of his resignation and his pending fight to regain the Labour leadership, David Cunliffe has made some candid and at times bizarre statements.

David Cunliffe officially resigns from his role as leader of the Labour Party today, and says he doesn't know whether he has the support of the caucus majority.

Outgoing Labour leader David Cunliffe has offered leadership rival Grant Robertson the job of deputy leader.

If anybody else in Labour is thinking about putting his or her hat into the leadership contest, they should think again, writes Audrey Young.

Far too late for his own good, David Cunliffe has done the right thing by resigning.

Labour leadership hopeful Grant Robertson is relaxed about David Cunliffe supporters raising the issue of him being gay but he does not believe it will be a factor in their vote.

Labour’s council has released the terms of a comprehensive review of the party, including its organization, campaigning and relationship with other parties

Labour MPs David Cunliffe and Grant Robertson are chasing the toughest job in NZ politics - lifting Labour out of the political wilderness.

Right after resigning in a belated show of responsibility for the election result, the sighs of relief turned into gasps of horror when Cunliffe said he would also rise again.

"I have today decided to resign the leadership of the Labour Party, effective from the end of caucus on Tuesday."

But he announces his intention to run in leadership contest as rival Grant Robertson confirms he will seek nomination.

The latest leadership issue in the Labour Party comes on the heels of years of resignations, criticisms and a lack of confidence.

Labour's largest affiliated union has sent a warning to leader not to assume it will back him again if he forces another leadership runoff.

Is brand "Labour" depreciating so rapidly in electoral value that the party's long-term future is now in serious jeopardy?

As the party licks its wounds after a demoralising election defeat, the Weekend Herald asked four commentators with inside knowledge for their diagnosis and suggested cure.

Breakdown of how unions and party members voted in last year’s Labour leadership election highlights how strongly Cunliffe preferred over Grant Robertson.

Notes taken in the Labour caucus room have emerged, having been hacked from the email account of some unwitting MP codenamed, "Lambshank". Toby Manhire investigates.

Labour leader David Cunliffe is expected to resign within three days but is still seriously considering going back into battle to reclaim the leadership.

David Cunliffe has quelled speculation he was set to resign today and a spokesman said he would continue to “take soundings from colleagues and associates”.

While Labour was occupied with brow-smiting and vows of silence, the PM sailed into Labour territory for a bit more pillaging, writes Claire Trevett.

Labour leader David Cunliffe is understood to be taking time off to reconsider his political future after several of his key supporters in caucus withdrew support.

To point out the potential pitfalls in Labour's new method of changing and choosing its leader was to incur the usual wrath from the usual quarters, writes John Armstrong.

David Parker has ruled himself out of any contest for the Labour leadership, saying he told Labour leader David Cunliffe of that decision yesterday.

David Cunliffe may still be Labour's leader by name. But for all intents and purposes his tenure at the party's helm is as good as over, writes John Armstrong.