Mahuta and Chauvel winners in Labour reshuffle

Nanaia Mahuta moves to the front bench. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Nanaia Mahuta and Charles Chauvel are among the biggest winners out of a Labour Party reshuffle following the demotion of Shane Jones, Chris Carter and Mita Ririnui over misuse of ministerial credit cards.

Ms Mahuta and Mr Chauvel will move to the front bench.

Ms Mahuta will pick up the energy and associate law and order spokesperson roles, while Mr Chauvel will pick up the environment role and drop energy.

Grant Robertson will move to the second row during the reshuffle and pick up the tertiary education portfolio.

Maryan Street will take over Mr Carter's foreign affairs portfolio.

Labour leader Phil Goff said there would be further changes ahead of next year's general election.

"The MPs stepping up to new roles bring a combination of experience and fresh thinking," he said.

"I believe these changes strengthen our line up."

Mr Jones fronted media yesterday and said he would not be resigning for the moment. He would discuss the issue with the caucus and his inner circle before considering his future.

But he admitted there was not much point in being an MP without an electorate or a portfolio.

"I don't expect to earn a public salary and wander around under the ti-trees and the kauri gums up north doing jack, but I just need a bit of time to sort things out.

"My waka's certainly going to be in the backwaters, but, hey, I put myself there. Whether I've got the power, the strength, to paddle my waka anywhere else, time will tell."

Mr Jones did not want to make any comments to upset the Labour boat, suggesting he was not happy with the demotion.

"I don't want to quibble. [Phil Goff] is the leader. It's the day for the leader to show mettle. He's made his decision."

Mr Carter released a statement accepting Mr Goff's decision, but did not issue an apology or any acknowledgement of wrongdoing.

He has previously complained about being targeted by the media because he is openly gay, which Mr Goff has rejected.

Mr Goff said asking the MPs to resign was a step too far, and the course he took has left the door open for them to work their way back to the top.

Records released last week showed Mr Jones had used his ministerial credit card for personal spending, including ordering in-house pornographic movies while staying in hotels. Mr Carter repaid $251 last week for inappropriate spending. Mr Ririnui had used his card to buy a bike and golf clubs.

The money was repaid.

Changes:

* Charles Chauvel picks up Environment and drops Energy.

* David Parker picks up Economic Development and drops Conservation.

* Darren Hughes picks up Infrastructure.

* Maryan Street picks up Foreign Affairs and drops Tertiary Education.

* Stuart Nash picks up Forestry from Mita Ririnui.

* Grant Robertson picks up Tertiary Education.

* Nanaia Mahuta picks up Energy and Associate Law and Order.

* Chris Carter picks up Conservation after losing Foreign Affairs.

- NZPA, Audrey Young and Derek Cheng