The Labour leadership battle now has three confirmed contenders, with David Cunliffe officially entering the race.
He joins Grant Robertson and Shane Jones in the contest to replace David Shearer.
Mr Cunliffe launched his widely expected bid for the leadership this afternoon, telling Prime Minister John Key he should book a long holiday in Hawaii.
Mr Cunliffe's message is simple: I've got this.
"Our people need us to win," he says. "They need us to win now. It is time for a new beginning. I am ready to play my part."
He's been ready for a while. After two failed bids for the leadership, it will have to be third time lucky.
"I believe now is the time to answer that call," says Mr Cunliffe.
That call is to be Labour's man that beats Mr Key. And though his message to Mr Key is to book a long holiday in Hawaii, Mr Key isn't fazed.
"That's lovely of him to make my booking," says Mr Key. "I'm sure my wife will follow that advice over Christmas, but we will be back in the New Year."
So there has been a battle cry.
"Like all of you I am sick and tired of watching hope die in the eyes of our young," says Mr Cunliffe.
Under Mr Cunliffe there will be a capital gains tax and the top earners will pay more tax.
He's certainly more expressive than most Kiwi blokes. Mr Cunliffe's weakness has always been that he's seen as vainglorious, or full of himself. He's even put a painted portrait of himself up on his office wall next to Labour's greats, but says he didn't paint it himself or sign it.
A bit of a poet, he penned 'I am Harvard', with lines like "I suckled you with potent milk... For I am Harvard and I am yours."
He talked about struggle in his electorate of New Lynn. But he lives on one of Auckland's best streets – Marine Parade, Herne Bay.
"The time has now come for Labour to rise and join with our communities to build this strong and fair New Zealand."
And Mr Cunliffe thinks his time has come too.
3 News
source: newshub archive
