Barry Soper: 'This is a big risk' for Labour

Who will take the Labour leadership role now the incumbent Andrew Little has announced he's stepping aside?

"This is a big risk" for Labour, Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper told Chris Lynch.

He said Little decided on his own to make the decision before even facing his caucus.

"It doesn't get much more dramatic in politics when you consider it's seven and a half weeks until the election," Soper said.

"Labour's taken the biggest risk that it's taken since 1990 when Mike Moore, two months out from an election, decided to move Geoffrey Palmer aside.

"I think Labour's going to find it very difficult now to prove itself as a capable alternative government."

Soper said Little has essentially endorsed Jacinda Ardern to take the leadership.

"I think even though she may be very popular within the party, she's really unproven as a politician. I think if she's the answer then you've really got to ask, what really is the question for Labour at the moment."

Though Soper says Grant Robertson, despite saying he wouldn't be leader again, is likely to put his hand up, along with Phil Twyford and the possibility of Stuart Nash who's pretty keen to take the leadership as well.