David Cunliffe has been Labour Party leader for just over a year.
David Cunliffe speaking to party supporters at this year's election campaign launch in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
Mr Cunliffe entered Parliament in 1999 as the MP for Titirangi which became the New Lynn electorate at the 2002 election.
The son of an Anglican minister, Mr Cunliffe had worked as a diplomat and business consultant before embarking on a political career; he became a Cabinet minister in 2003.
His career has not been without controversy.
Fellow MPs accuse him of failing to support the then-Labour leader, Phil Goff, during the 2011 election campaign, an accusation Mr Cunliffe rejects.
He stood for the leadership when Mr Goff resigned after that election but lost to David Shearer. At Labour's 2012 annual conference, Mr Cunliffe refused to rule out a challenge to Mr Shearer and was subsequently demoted to the backbenches.
But a year later Mr Cunliffe got a second chance when Mr Shearer resigned as leader. Under new rules, which enabled party members and the affiliated unions to vote alongside MPs, Mr Cunliffe was elected leader.
However Mr Cunliffe failed to win the support of most MPs in the vote.
David Cunliffe led Labour to its worst electoral performance since 1922.
David Cunliffe speaking to media after conceding defeat in this year's general election. Photo: Getty Images
In an election night speech, he announced that he wanted to stay on as Labour leader.
On Tuesday, he spoke to MPs at a marathon caucus meeting, and he has since then been taking time off to speak to colleagues.
The Labour leader is married to a lawyer, Karen, and they have two sons.
David Cunliffe watches a water polo game with his wife Karen Price on election day. Photo: REUTERS
David Cunliffe heads into the Labour council meeting before his resignation today. Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson