Union leader Andrew Little has been confirmed as the new president of the Labour Party.
Mr Little was the only nominee for the position and was elected unopposed.
He succeeds Mike Williams, who resigned after eight years as president, following Labour's defeat at the 2008 elections.
Mr Little takes over the job immediately. He will also continue as the national secretary of the Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union.
He passed on an opportunity to stand for Labour in 2008, but says he intends to stand for Parliament at the 2011 election.
Mr Little says when a party comes out of government, it usually has a fair amount of work to do to get back on its feet and Labour faces big challenges as it adjusts to being in Opposition.
He says the president's job is to focus on internal issues and structures, leaving Phil Goff as the public and political face of the party.
Mr Goff says Mr Little's appointment is a significant step, and both are committed to strengthening the Labour Party organisation and reconnecting with the electorate.
Labour also has a new vice-president, Moria Coatsworth.
Meanwhile, National Party president Judy Kirk is also considering her future after almost seven years in the position.
