Labour staffing changes

3 News reports:

Grant Robertson “may or may not” stay deputy leader of Labour, while chief of staff Fran Mold has been cut, the party’s new leader David Cunliffe says.

Caucus will vote for a new deputy and new whips tomorrow morning.

At his first press conference at parliament since becoming leader on Sunday, Mr Cunliffe said he will make recommendations for all of the vacant positions.

He said the current whips, Chris Hipkins and Darien Fenton, also “may or may not” stay the same.

That’s despite Mr Hipkins and Ms Fenton – supporters of Mr Robertson – standing down from their roles on Monday.

Mr Cunliffe says Labour’s chief of staff, former TVNZ journalist-turned-press secretary Ms Mold, has lost her job, but he isn’t confirming her replacement.

He’s still considering other staffing, including press secretary positions.

I heard rumours of a former Cullen staffer being hired as Chief of Staff. We’ll find out soon. It sounds like there will be significant changes in their Leader’s Office.