Updated 10:34am: David Cunliffe says Labour needs to have a leader confirmed quick sharp, and says that leader may or may not be him.

In a public appearance, he says the party needs to know who's at the helm so it can get on with the job of rebuilding and becoming fighting fit.

David Cunliffe says he will have his hat in the ring, but it's a matter for the party to decide.

He wants the leadership to go to a full vote, and for that to take place before Christmas.

David Cunliffe says he'll be putting the party first, regardless of whether he stays on as Labour leader.

David Cunliffe says if he doesn't retain the title he will be getting behind whoever is elected, and working hard to do what needs to be done for the benefit of the party.

Labour MP's stand by their man- for now

Labour MPs are standing by their man - for now.

They're arriving at Parliament now for their first caucus meeting since the weekend's devastating election loss, with David Cunliffe set to face tough questions.

Speaking to media outside, former leader and potential challenger David Shearer says today isn't about a spill - the party has bigger issues to work through.

And Cunliffe loyalist Sue Moroney says the current leader's only had a year at the helm, and she continues to support him.

David Clark's not saying if he supports leader David Cunliffe and will keep his caucus votes to himself and his collegaues.

Stuart Nash says he supports every Labour Leader until the day they're not the Labour Leader and for the moment Mr Cunliffe is the leader and has his support.

Meanwhile Chris Hipkins says the whole party, from the leader down, needs to reflect on the role they played in the shocking election defeat.

Shearer wants answers

Former leader and potential challenger David Shearer wants answers from Mr Cunliffe at this morning's caucus meeting, about what he thinks went wrong at the election.

"W need to go through that phase first before we launch into a full fledged leadership contest which I think is hugely time consuming and takes our minds away from what were the real issues that have caused our massive defeat."

List MP Clayton Cosgrove has declined to back his boss, and also opposes there being no immediate confidence vote on the leadership.

"I think we have to reflect on what the New Zealand people have said to us and we have to acknowledge and respect it and we then have to do something about it."

His colleague Clare Curran also thinks its premature for her to give a view on Mr Cunliffe's leadership.

"I'm of the quaint notion that the aftermath of an election, the first discussion should be in caucus and that's what I'll be doing today."

Only List MP Sue Moroney has publicly endorsed Mr Cunliffe to media this morning.

Cunliffe's job at stake

David Cunliffe faces his caucus colleagues for the first time today since Saturday's crushing election defeat.

His job's at stake with Labour being given its biggest electoral hiding since 1922.

The leadership's unlikely to be put to the vote today, with Labour waiting for the special vote count in a fortnight.

Mr Cunliffe wants to stay on as leader but his caucus isn't happy.

To secure his job he has to have 60 percent caucus support plus one more MP.

If he can't get it, the leadership vote will then go to the wider party.

However observers say that to stay on under those circumstances, would damage his credibility beyond repair.