Little may force PM to 'adjust approach'

PRAGMATIC: Andrew Little (left), new Labour Party leader, in Masterton with Kieran McAnulty before the general election. PHOTO/FILE

New Labour Party leader Andrew Little has the full support of Kieran McAnulty, who unsuccessfully contested the Wairarapa seat at the last election.

Mr Little overcame rivals Grant Robertson, Nanaia Mahuta and David Parker to emerge the winner on Tuesday, after a tight battle that went into a third round of voting. He won narrowly, receiving 50.52 per cent of the vote, just 1.04 per cent more than Mr Robertson.

Speaking to the Times-Age yesterday, Mr McAnulty said he was excited Mr Little had been selected.

"Obviously I'm very pleased with Andrew. I think he'll make a good leader and I think John Key will have his work cut out for him.

"I don't think it will be long before he [Mr Little] starts to make inroads."

He expected Mr Little's articulate but pragmatic approach to resonate with provincial New Zealand.

Mr Little was formerly national secretary of the Engineer Print and Manufacturing Union (EPMU), the union to which Mr McAnulty belongs. That experience would also help him connect with workers, Mr McAnulty said.

"Given his background in the union movement, he has a clear understanding of the issues that affect people that have to work for a living."

He believed Mr Little's intellect and strong debating skills would see him become the country's next leader.

"One thing that Andrew will not be doing is he won't pretend to be someone that he's not - he won't be the product of a PR machine. Andrew is going to focus on policy and things that affect people's lives ... John Key might have to adjust his approach."

Mr McAnulty said he expected a thorough review of the last election would be one of Mr Little's first moves as leader, and it was likely he would visit Wairarapa soon.