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NZ Labour leader resigns after election

David Cunliffe has stood down as Labour's leader following the party's defeat in the New Zealand election.

David Cunliffe has stood down as leader of New Zealand's Labour Party but will contest the leadership.

Mr Cunliffe made the announcement after a meeting of the party's council in Auckland on Saturday.

He resigns effective from Tuesday, but says he will put himself forward for a leadership contest.

He had said he wanted to continue leading Labour despite a crushing defeat in September 20's general election.

However, Mr Cunliffe has been under increasing pressure to stand aside, and support within the 32-member caucus is believed to have dwindled to fewer than six.

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Grant Robertson is the frontrunner to succeed Mr Cunliffe with Jacinda Ardern as deputy leader.


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