Mr Goff emerged from yesterday's front-bench meeting at the University of Otago Staff Club in Dunedin, flanked by senior MPs, to declare he retained their full support.
He hinted at some strong words behind closed doors during the three-hour meeting, saying ministers had each had their say during a "long and constructive" discussion about the handling of the complaint against Mr Hughes.
However, Mr Goff insisted there had never been any threat or challenge to remove him from his post, despite media speculation.
"I've never been confronted by the team that I've got behind me, nor has there ever been a suggestion of a threat to my leadership.
"We all decided that hindsight is an excellent way of dealing with any affair ...
I have the full and utter support of my front-bench colleagues," he said.
He laughed off questions about any vote at yesterday's meeting, joking that marshalling his colleagues was like "herding cats", and his 12 front-bench colleagues had "at least 15 opinions on most issues".
Speculation about Mr Goff's leadership had begun to swirl ahead of yesterday's meeting, and MPs remained tight-lipped when arriving shortly after 9am.
At issue was Mr Goff's decision to keep quiet for two weeks about a sexual complaint levelled against Mr Hughes by an 18-year-old male university student, after an incident at Mr Hughes' Hataitai home early on March 2.
The allegations prompted Mr Hughes' resignation last week, although a police investigation continues and charges have not been laid.
Mr Hughes has denied any wrongdoing.
However, Mr Goff's decision to keep quiet - including not telling Labour Party president Andrew Little - ensured his handling of the matter was near the top of the agenda at yesterday's meeting.
Mr Goff emerged to face the media, surrounded by front-bench colleagues who grinned, joked and chortled "hear, hear" in a show of support.
Among them was Trevor Mallard, using a wheelchair and crutches after his recent cycling accident.
Mr Goff insisted he wanted to focus on issues facing New Zealand, but admitted the media's focus on the complaint against Mr Hughes had been a distraction.
"We'd much rather be talking about issues."
He blamed "the hand of political opponents" for promoting rumours to destabilise the party, and media for speculation without evidence.
Mr Goff denied his leadership had been dealt a blow ahead of this year's general election.
"I think it's strengthened it," he said.
"Not everyone will agree with my response, but I think everyone will respect the reasons why I responded the way I did."
Despite that, Mr Goff said Mr Hughes' resignation was a "tragic event" and his decision to initially keep quiet was one "I can sleep at night about".
"I could have sacrificed Darren right at the beginning and that would have been politically easier for me to do. I don't believe that would've been right."
Last week, Mr Goff said moving too quickly would have risked pre-judging the issue, but he later said it had become "increasingly clear" the furore made it impossible for Mr Hughes to focus on his duties.
The Dominion Post also reported Mr Goff had planned to strip Mr Hughes of his responsibilities as education spokesman and party whip regardless of the outcome of the police investigation, because of his "lapse of judgement".
Yesterday, Mr Goff said he would consult caucus before deciding who would take Mr Hughes' education portfolio, while a caucus vote would decide who became the party's new chief whip.
Yesterday's meeting also included discussion of asset sales, Christchurch earthquake recovery work and feared cuts to KiwiSaver and Working for Families, he said.
The MPs' itinerary while in Dunedin also included a meeting between Mr Goff and some MPs with Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull and city councillors, to discuss economic development initiatives.
Deputy leader Annette King led a separate group of MPs to North East Valley Normal School to meet school principals and social agency representatives.
Trips such as yesterday's aimed to ensure the party was "well grounded in what people are thinking, and that we understand what's happening in all of the regions", Mr Goff said.
The High Court has ordered media not to name the complainant at the centre of the Darren Hughes' controversy, NZPA reported.
Named in the court document were media organisations Fairfax, APN, TVNZ, Mediaworks and bloggers Danyl McLauchlan and David Farrar.
Justice Robert Dobson said the complainant's identity had not yet been revealed but there were concerns it would be.
While proceedings targeted six defendants, Justice Dobson said anyone who knew of the order was covered by it.
