The Labour Party has announced a reshuffle of its caucus this morning following the departure of MPs David Shearer and Phil Goff.
The party has also created a new portfolio, called New Economy, which will be held by leader Andrew Little.
David Parker has taken Shearer's foreign affairs portfolio and Michael Wood, who won Goff's Mt Roskill seat, will be Labour's spokesman for consumer affairs, ethnic communities and revenue.
Mr Shearer announced his resignation from Parliament this week after he was appointed to head the United Nations mission in South Sudan. Mr Goff left Parliament in October to become Mayor of Auckland.
Chris Hipkins will relinquish the senior whip position to focus his energy on the education portfolio. He will take over the tertiary education role, which was held by departing New Lynn MP David Cunliffe. Kris Faafoi will become senior whip.
Mr Little said education was a crucial area for Labour and the party would be increasing its pressure on the Government on education issues.
He said the caucus changes would help "sharpen Labour's focus on some core areas". The team he would take to the next election would be "working as hard as ever to show New Zealanders Labour has a plan for the future".
"I am underling how important this is by creating the New Economy portfolio," Mr Little said. "Labour is committed to growing wealth in the economy through greater innovation and productivity."
In other changes, Clare Curran will take on the ICT role and move into Labour's shadow Cabinet.
Stuart Nash will take the state owned enterprises portfolio previously held by Clayton Cosgrove. Mr Nash will also be the new spokesman for Innovation and Science and for Research and Development.
Iain Lees-Galloway is Labour's new defence spokesman, a role previously held by Mr Goff. Megan Woods will become state services spokeswoman.
