Pressure is mounting on Labour Party leader David Cunliffe to resign and not contest the leadership again.
David Cunliffe said he was not going to resign. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
Labour MPs met on Tuesday for a marathon seven-hour caucus after the party's worst election result in more than 90 years.
Mr Cunliffe has released a statement saying he is on a short break at home with his family and that he is continuing to take soundings from associates and colleagues.
Many Labour MPs are also taking a break but Radio New Zealand understands there is manoeuvring behind the scenes to get a clean change of leadership.
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Mr Cunliffe is under pressure to stand down and allow a handover to a new leadership team, which would avoid a prolonged leadership contest.
Labour's national council will this weekend decide on the terms of reference for an inquiry into its election result, and Labour MPs will meet again on Tuesday.