Parker confirms tilt at Labour leadership

Oct 12: David Parker has confirmed he will stand for Labour's leadership.

The acting Labour leader and finance spokesman said he genuinely had not planned to run but over the past 10 days many people had asked him to stand.

"I will restore our focus. I will direct Labour's passion and drive to be a unifying force for New Zealanders," Mr Parker said.

He would put up all Labour policies for review.

"Politics does not have to be war without guns; a version of Game of Thrones," he told media at a 2pm press conference in Auckland.

"I do not seek leadership to oppose any other candidate."

(Press conference image: @damianchristie)

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Parker tipped to join Labour leadership race

Oct 11: Insiders are tipping David Parker to join Labour's leadership race on Sunday.

The acting leader and finance spokesman has said he's been asked to stand by supporters, but has yet to make a decision.

If he does put his name forward today, Parker will join confirmed candidates David Cunliffe, Grant Robertson and Andrew Little.

The former law partner and father of three has previously indicated a reluctance to stand for leader. NBR understand he's wary off putting his relationship with artist Barbara Ward (former partner of stroke-hit musician Chris Knox) in the spotlight.

"Parker's probably going to want to defend his policies after Little questioned them last week.," NBR politics editor Rob Hosking says.

"He's said several times the capital gains tax is central to Labour's programme and he also will want to defend the bizarre variable savings rate policy — the one which would force people to save more money when prices are going up. The unions were not very happy about that, for obvious reasons."

Parker has ruled himself out previously, but in a kind of provisional way, Hosking notes.

"But he's more ambitious than he looks and this is probably the best chance he'll ever get."

Stuart Nash has already ruled himself our amid a "blackmail email" controversy. 

A sixth contender, Jacinda Ardern, is expected to align with Grant Robertson on a leader/deputy ticket.

Next Tuesday is the cut-off for joining the primary contest.