The temp: Annette King to lead Labour for a month
Officially she'll remain deputy, but the Rongotai MP will lead the party in the house, and front to media.
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Hawke’s Bay
Officially, David Parker is still Labour's acting leader — but for all intents and purposes, acting deputy Annette King has taken over the top job, including leading the party in Parliament when it resumes next week.
Asked on Firstline this morning if being acting leader would give Mr Parker an edge in the party's leadership race, Ms King replied, "It won't give him an advantage because I take over the public role of leadership in terms of the media, the role in the Parliament, the asking of questions and the speaking role.
"The caucus decided that he [Parker] is the legitimate acting leader rather than go through another leadership change that he continue in that role but the public face during this month-long period will be me."
Ms King said she was unaware Nanaia Mahuta had been planning a last-minute leadership bid.
She declined to say whom she would support.
Ms King said she supported the primary process introduced last year, which allocates the leadership vote across MPs, party members and affiliated unions on a 40/40/20 split.
Critics say it led to a difficult situation for the first leader elected under the system, David Cunliffe, who never had majority support from his own caucus.
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The temp: Annette King to lead Labour for a month
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