Former Wigram MP Jim Anderton has paid tribute to Phil Goff, who is standing down from th leadership of the Labour Party following the election defeat.
Mr Anderton was on the selection panel which chose Phil Goff as the candidate for Mt Roskill 30 years ago.
[image:3969:third:right]He says the Labour Party is in a stronger position than when Mr Goff became leader following Helen Clark's election defeat in 2008.
Mr Anderton says the party's core support held up well in this year's election, and the policy positions Labour adopted under Mr Goff's leadership will hold them in good stead for the future.
He says Labour is in a much better state than National Party led by Bill English in 2002, when that party's support fell to 21%.
Mr Anderton believes Mr Goff's time as leader is the thing he will be remembered for the most.
Another former colleague says Mr Goff should not have to shoulder the blame for Labour's defeat.
Richard Prebble, who worked with Mr Goff in the 1980s, says he will be remembered as a loyal and hard working minister who was often dealt a bad hand.
He says it was a case of bad timing when the leadership opportunity came his way.
Mr Prebble says Labour realised too late the importance of matching National's plans for economic austerity and that is what ultimately cost them the election.
Resignation not a surprise for constituents
Although he will step down as party leader on 13 December, Mr Goff will continue serving as an MP for the full three year term of the next Parliament.
Mt Roskill has been his stomping ground since he was first elected 30 years ago. He was voted out once, in 1990, but won the seat back three years later.
Some of Phil Goff's constituents say his resignation as Labour Party leader is a big blow, but not a surprise.
Samantha Taku, who lives in the Mount Albert electorate, says he always makes himself available to help members of the community.
Another resident, Glen Anthony, says Mr Goff has served the country well but the Labour Party needs a fresh face.
