Labour Party leader Phil Goff has elevated five MPs to Labour's front bench as he tries to refresh the party in Opposition.
Darren Hughes, Maryan Street, Clayton Cosgrove, Ruth Dyson and Nanaia Mahuta were promoted to the front bench on Thursday.
Ms Dyson will be the new health spokesperson, Mr Hughes takes on transport, Mr Cosgrove law and order, Ms Street trade, and Ms Mahuta the environment.
Deputy leader Annette King becomes the social development spokesperson, while Chris Carter retains education.
Some senior MPs have been demoted in the new line-up, including Pete Hodgson, who drops from sixth to 16th in Labour's pecking order.
Mr Hodgson told Radio New Zealand on Thursday that he asked to be demoted. The former economic development and health minister says he is keen to become Labour's spokesperson for immigration and defence.
Mr Goff said there will be a further reallocation of portfolios before the next election.
Helen Clark and Michael Cullen are not ranked, but Mr Goff says he hopes to keep their expertise on the second bench for as long as possible.
He says they have given no notion when they plan to leave Parliament.
