Phil Goff comfortably winning the Auckland mayoralty isn't a sign Labour's about to sweep next year's general election, says party leader Andrew Little.
Mr Goff will be resigning from his Mt Roskill seat after Saturday's win, ending a 35-year Parliamentary career.
But Labour's loss will be Auckland's gain, says Mr Little.
"They will now have a Mayor who is determined to see Auckland growing, developing, progressing. He will be a formidable advocate for Auckland."
Mr Little says the local body elections are a good test of Labour's "machinery", and the results today - which include ex-Labour MP Lianne Dalziel winning Christchurch in a landslide - are pleasing.
But it won't necessarily translate into support at next year's election.
"When it comes to general elections, the reality is it's different. We've got our own work to do. I don't rest on our laurels at all.
"Great to see Phil having won, likewise Lianne Dalziel in Christchurch."
Michael Wood will stand for Labour in the Mt Roskill, an electorate which has been held by Mr Goff since its creation in 1999.
"It'll be a hard-fought campaign," says Mr Little. "We will be in there boots and all, fiercely campaigning to retain Mt Roskill."
Newshub.
