David Cunliffe is the MP for New Lynn in Auckland. In 2007 and 2008 he was the Minister for Health and for Communications and Technology. For the last three years, while Labour was in Opposition, he was the Finance spokesperson for Labour. He has been in Parliament since 1999 but he is still a young man – in his late 40s. His deputy would be Nanaia Mahuta and she could help bring back Maori voters.

　　David Shearer is also an Auckland MP. He won the Mt Albert seat in June 2009 when Helen Clark left Parliament so he has only been in Parliament a short time. However, he was a diplomat and has worked for the United Nations, Save the Children and other humanitarian organizations in Somalia and many other countries where there is war. He says that this means he is good at working with people.

　　The Labour Party believes there must be a change in the future to win the next election.

　　Vocabulary

　　leadership – the job of being a leader

　　resigned – said he would not be the leader any more

　　Opposition – the main party not in government

　　spokesperson – his job was to watch the Minister of Finance and show that Labour had better finance ideas

　　deputy – second to the leader

　　diplomat – represents the government overseas

　　humanitarian – caring for people

　　Question

　　Is it a good idea to have a leadership contest? Does it split the Party or does it create more interest?