On Monday, Labour leader Andrew Little was adamant he had the backing of the party and was ''fighting'' on despite opinion polls that had delivered the party its lowest blows.
Yesterday morning, the party had a new leader and deputy in the form of former deputy Jacinda Ardern and Kelvin Davis, after Mr Little resigned.
For the first time in years, a Labour leader sounds not just excited about taking the poisoned chalice, but exciting.
Is this the new Helen Clark for a new age?
Ms Ardern's first appearance as leader was impressive - even for those who believe a leadership reshuffle only two months out from a general election was the last thing the embattled party needed.
Ms Ardern was confident, eloquent, witty and warm. She addressed questioning reporters in the media briefing by name, cracked jokes about herself, had the press corps laughing along with her, and replied openly and naturally, demonstrating an ability to think on her feet - when she (apparently) had little time to think at all.
As deputy, Ms Ardern was the natural choice for leader, but it is something of a turnaround. She has previously said she would not want the job for various reasons. It is a hard job at the best of times - and this is Labour's worst of times. She will need to be fully committed.
However, there is no denying Ms Ardern offers more of the ''fresh approach'' her party has been plugging - in comparison to not only her predecessor, but National Party leader Bill English.
Voters finally have some choice between dull and boring or dynamic and forthright, steady as she goes or watch this space. Labour needs to make the most of this moment.
Ms Ardern is clearly passionate about social justice, has been with the Labour Party for 20 years and in Parliament for nearly 10. She is media savvy and understands personality is a major player. If you are spreading a boring but worthy message (and, let's be honest, poverty, inequality, homelessness and dirty waterways are hardly sexy subjects), it is vital the messenger is engaging.
But some of the messages might need to change, too. Labour's revolving door leadership has not helped engender confidence in the party, but neither has its attempt to take the middle ground. Bold leadership is more than fronting media and the public.
With little honeymoon period, the new leadership needs to hit the ground running.
Ms Ardern will need strong support from Kelvin Davis, and is likely to get it from the hard-nosed MP, who holds the party's Corrections, Treaty Negotiations and Maori Development portfolios and won Te Tai Tokerau from Mana's Hone Harawira at the previous election.
A new leadership possibly offers new potential coalition options, too. The question of credibility, remains, however. If Ms Ardern is to reverse the slide in the polls, and turn that into votes, would other potential partners - notably NZ First leader Winston Peters - stomach her taking the top job after only two months as leader?
It is to be hoped Ms Ardern can make a difference - for the good of New Zealand politics and democracy. It has been distressing to watch such a once pre-eminent party in steady decline.
Ms Ardern has a massive challenge ahead. Mr Little, a hard-working, sincere and committed campaigner for social justice could not gain capital at a time when Labour should have much for the taking.
As the party's election hoardings are rapidly changed to save face, Ms Ardern and Mr Davis need to be bold and brave and turn the farce of the past days and years into momentum and meaningful progress - for the party and, far more importantly, those they seek to represent.
