Carter 'sorting things out' - Goff

Phil Goff said he still needed to be convinced of a change in Chris Carter's attitude. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Demoted Labour MP Chris Carter is spending the week working in his Te Atatu electorate, but his position within the party remains uncertain.

Mr Carter lost his foreign affairs portfolio and was bumped down the Labour Party pecking order last week after failing to front-up and apologise over his credit card spending as a minister.

He was also put on stress leave following a torrid time trying to handle the situation and avoid media.

Mr Goff told reporters today he had told Mr Carter to spend this week working in his electorate "sorting out what he needs to sort out".

He wasn't being drawn on whether or not Mr Carter would remain at number 13 within the party and with the conservation portfolio he picked up after losing foreign affairs.

Any announcements on that front would come later in the week after the pair had talked again.

Mr Goff also said while he accepted a brief written apology from Mr Carter last week over the spending issue was genuine, he still needed to be convinced Mr Carter's defiant attitude had changed.

"I'm not sure that he understands yet why a genuine apology is needed and that taxpayers in New Zealand have the right to expect their money to be spent frugally and with reserve."

It went without saying that Mr Carter would have to front media on his return and explain his position, he said.

It was revealed at the weekend that Mr Carter sought advice over his situation from former prime minister and party leader Helen Clark, who now works for the United Nations in New York.

Mr Goff said the pair were friends. He didn't have any problems with Mr Carter seeking advice from Miss Clark and said he expected the advice he received would have been the same as his own.

- NZPA