Labour leader Andrew Little has described the delays and apparent bickering over the party's list as "unfortunate".
He fronted to the media after the list was revealed this morning.
Willie Jackson was said to be unhappy with his ranking at 21, and headed to Wellington to take the issue up. But Labour's ruling council kept him at 21st.
LISTEN: Jackson's list placement down to gender equality
Mr Little said what happened yesterday "was unfortunate".
"In the end, when we're dealing with a list for a general election, we're dealing with people's livelihoods and people's careers, and I think it was a gross discourtesy and disrespectful for people who were entitled to have their issues dealt with, with appropriate decorum and confidentiality, it's unfortunate that didn't happen.
"In the end, we got through it, we've got the list. The list committee has done an outstanding job, and we are setting ourselves up with an outstanding team for 2017."
Mr Jackson, when asked if he'd pushed for a higher list spot, said it's nobody's business what happened yesterday.
LISTEN: Labour leader Andrew Little speaks with Mike Hosking
Mr Jackson has been appointed as Labour's Maori campaign manager for the September election.
Shortly after Labour released its list, the party announced Mr Jackson's appointment in a statement.
"Willie was asked to take on the role due to his ability to connect with a demographic of Maori voters who are typically younger and part of a new generation," it said.
Mr Jackson said he is going to campaign hard in all the Maori electorates.
"It's crucially important for Maori to enrol and vote," he said.
Labour holds six of the Maori roll seats and the Maori Party holds the seventh.
- Additional reporting by NZ Newswire
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