The Deputy Prime Minister has dug into Labour's move to promise list places to new recruits.

Leader Andrew Little's announcement this week that former Alliance MP Willie Jackson would run on the list in a "winnable position", has drawn much flak.

Paula Bennett said she feels sorry for somebody like her opposite number Annette King, who might see Mr Jackson above her on the list.

"We have a captain's call from Andrew Little that quite frankly is now ranking people via the media and putting them ahead of anyone else," she said.

But Annette King said Ms Bennett only needs to look around her to realise her sympathy is not warranted.

"If she wants to talk about the new faces, have a look at the Cabinet that your leader chose. Bill English - the souffle that never rose anyway in the first place - he's back."

Ms King said on the same day the Salvation Army painted a dire picture of the country's social well-being in its 10th State of the Nation report, Ms Bennett could only talk about what the opposition was up to.

She said Ms Bennett clearly cares more about who's on the Labour Party list, than those real issues that affect New Zealanders.

"What you heard from the Deputy Prime Minister is how we're going to do better, ridicule, make jokes, talk about other political parties, but not one thing about how they will improve the lot of New Zealanders."