Outgoing New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has resurfaced after Labour's resounding election loss, hinting he wants to stay on as party leader - at least in the short term.
"I'm not done with politics," he said from parliament on Tuesday.
Labour's six years in government ended with National's resounding victory in Saturday's poll.
At least 20 MPs have lost seats, including Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, while another, former leader Andrew Little, has retired, saying it was time for renewal.
While the election results are not yet final, each party reassembled in Wellington on Tuesday, holding caucus meetings to begin preparations for the next parliament.
Election winners National welcomed incoming Prime Minister Chris Luxon with roars of approval.
Downstairs, Labour held two partyroom gatherings: first, with the 62 Labour MPs that made up the previous caucus.
The second, after lunch, had just 34 MPs in the room: those that survived the "blue-nami" election.
"It's been a pretty brutal weekend," Mr Hipkins said, returning to public view for the first time since election night.
Under Labour rules, a confidence vote must be held within three months of an election to test the leader's support.
Mr Hipkins said the caucus did not invoke that confidence test, as the party would wait for full results - due on November 3 - to digest the situation and consider the future.
"I'm certainly still the leader of the Labour party," he said.
"I'm still committed to supporting the Labour party in opposition and I've still got a bit of fight left in me."
Emotions got the better of some MPs given the loss.
During a break, Trade Minister Damien O'Connor told a journalist to "f*** off" rather than answer her question, a comment which Mr Hipkins said was unacceptable but understandable.
"Emotions have been running a little high today. I think people will forgive a little bit of intemperance," he said.
"It's very difficult to farewell a significant number of your colleagues."
It remains to be seen whether those colleagues will also be farewelling Mr Hipkins or others.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Attorney General David Parker, are heavily rumoured to depart, if not immediately, then after the transition to opposition.
Mr Robertson said he would take time to consider his future, while Mr Parker, 63, offered little.
"Well, I've been at it for 21 years and I think I've shown I've had a bit of energy so far," he said.
Mr Little announced his exit, ending a career best known for a leadership stint which gave way to deputy Jacinda Ardern, just seven weeks to the 2017 election.
That decision sparked Jacindamania, and a return of Labour to power after nine years.
Mr Little, 58, said Mr Hipkins "threw everything into the campaign" and could yet lead Labour back to government.
"I think he can ... he's a tough cookie. He's a good leader, but what he does is up to him," he said.
Labour campaign chair Megan Woods said on Sunday that Mr Hipkins "absolutely" would have the support from colleagues should he choose to stay on.
Outgoing Finance Minister Grant Robertson suggested Mr Hipkins would find support from his colleagues.
"I'm incredibly supportive of Chris, I think he has done a really good job," he said.
