This morning,
David Shearer was named the new leader of the Labour Party
with Grant Robertson as his deputy.
According to some Labour Maori MPs,
although Nanaia Mahuta and David Cunliffe had their votes
it did not put them over the line.
The new Labour Leader and his Deputy are all smiles.
He wasted no time in setting the new tone.
A vision that most of the Labour caucus supports.
Despite it being a tough and close battle
the new leader says the dust has settled.
On the other side of the building the vibe was more subdued.
Perhaps it's too early to shake up the old school in the Labour Party.
Labour is looking to new horizons.
Nanaia Mahuta and David Cunliffe
will continue to advance party policies.
However, it is rumoured that only one vote determined the victor,
but no ones sharing the count.
Who got your vote?
I voted for Nanaia and David.
He would not say which David, but he said...
Regardless of who the Maori members supported,
David Shearer and Grant Robertson got the majority vote.
We must now back them to keep the party moving ahead.
Labour MPs will be back here next week for Parliament's first sitting,
when the new leaders of the Opposition
will get a taste of the road ahead.
Jasmyn Pearson, Te Karere.
We will now cross live to Labour's Nanaia Mahuta
in our Wellington office.
You and David Cunliffe were unsuccessful in this leadership bid
how disappointed are you?
No, this is their day.
David Shearer and Grant Robertson have been elected by our caucus.
Our opportunity to share our vision
will come in the near future perhaps.
What happens now and is there any room for both David Cunliffe
and yourself in David Shearer's front beach?
David Shearer is yet to talk with us, but the door is always open.
We really want to work with them
to develop the strengths of the Labour Party.
Do you think Labour will ever be in a position again
to vote one of its Maori MPs to a leadership position in the future?
That's a good question, but who knows?
For now we will support David Shearer in this massive undertaking.
That's something we can look at,
but I'll definitely forward the wishes of our constituents
in the Maori electorates,
including the issues affecting Maori and Pacific Island people.
That's an issue he'll have to consider.
What sort of message does this send to Maori voters in your opinion?
Does it mean that Labour don't want a Maori at the helm?
That's another good question.
Labour needs to also consider the wishes expressed by our Maori caucus
with regards to Maori issues within the Labour Party.
Nanaia Mahuta, thank you for your time today.