Local Labour MPs Stuart Nash and Meka Whaitiri have moved up the ranks after a minor reshuffle announced by leader Andrew Little last week.
Napier MP Stuart Nash has been promoted to Labour's frontbench and picks up the economic development (including Regional Development) portfolio while retaining the police portfolio.
Mr Nash was wrapped with the promotion as the economic development portfolio was something he was passionate about.
"It is a great challenge as it is about how we can create an environment where companies are willing to employ more staff, invest in more technologies and are willing to grow."
He said this portfolio had the ability to really drive the type of change needed if they were to strive for innovative solutions to 21st century issues around poor productivity and slow growth in the regions.
Mr Nash already had some ideas up his sleeve and said it was important to look at where the country wanted to be in the next 50 years.
"We need to see what works and what doesn't but I am keen to look at all settings as I think we can do better than what we currently are."
Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri was just as thrilled with the recent promotion after moving up five places to number 13 in the ranks.
This meant she was one spot outside the front bench and picked up the associate roles in economic development and trade and export growth.
"I am all about representation of the electorate and I want to show people the true values Hawke's Bay has to offer to other parts of the country."
Ms Whaitiri said her new associate roles complimented her Local Government and Associate Primary Industries portfolios.
"They reflect the value Labour places on the leadership Hawke's Bay's primary sector provides and its contribution to the economy."
Just last month Ms Whaitiri MC'd at the Taniwha Dragon Economic Summit before Te Matatini.
She said the summit was attended by local iwi, local government, Treaty partners, local entrepreneurs, members of primary industries and international guests.
"It was dynamic and to have all these people in one room was incredible. Hawke's Bay is leading the way with regards to growth and opportunities and I want to ensure that this continues."
Labour now has two Maori MPs in the frontbench and five overall in the Shadow Cabinet.
"Along with the strong representation from our Pasifika and women caucus colleagues, it's great to see Labour walking the talk on being a broad church reflecting our communities."
At a public meeting in Clive last Friday night, Mr Little praised the two local MPs as being hard-workers and rising stars in the Labour caucus.