UPDATED 6.06pm: A political commentator says the days of Labour's pale, stale, male leaders may be over.

Nanaia Mahuta has at the last minute thrown her hat into the ring to contest the leadership.

The Hauraki-Waikato MP will be running against Andrew Little, Grant Robertson and David Parker.

Otago University's Dr Bryce Edwards told Newstalk ZB's Larry Williams there's been a lot of angst amongst the party about their options.

"People have worried that there hasn't been enough choice, enough diversity so I guess that speaks to that and answers the question. A woman has stood up, a Maori woman." 

Mahuta not expecting 'token' support

New leadership contender Nanaia Mahuta ticks Labour's diversity boxes - but admits she's not guaranteed support, on the grounds of being Maori or female.

Ms Mahuta's the fourth and final candidate to enter the race to lead the party.

The Hauraki-Waikato MP says the party needs to reflect its Maori and Pasifika voter base.

"I don't expect any support just because I am who I am. I expect them to look at the contest that is in front of them and the serious consideration that Labour has to make in terms of where to from here.

"Because of the election outcome, we've got to do things differently."

Mahuta taking 'one step at a time'

Labour's eleventh-hour leadership contestant says she wants to be New Zealand's first Maori Prime Minister.

Nanaia Mahuta is the fourth and final Labour MP to throw their hat in the ring, before nominations closed at 5pm.

The Hauraki-Waikato MP says she's in it to win it and wants to eventually lead the country.

"I'm hopeful, but one step at a time."

Nanaia Mahuta says the party needs to diversify at the top, to reflect its Maori and Pasifika supporters, if it wants to have a future.

"If people are serious about a different look and doing things differently so we get a different outcome, I'm saying I'll put my hand up." 

Mahuta to represent Maori and Pasifika

The Hauraki-Waikato MP was David Cunliffe's running mate in a failed bid for the leadership in 2011.

The other candidates are Andrew Little, Grant Robertson and David Parker.

She says she's standing to represent the Maori and Pasifika communities.

"There is a need for our party to reconnect with more people in their communities and the leadership contest will be a way to commence that effort."

Nanaia Mahuta says she's standing to be Labour leader to represent the Maori/Pasifika caucus.

"This decision has been made with the knowledge that as the party reviews the election outcome, we can learn from the basic support that was demonstrated across Maori electorates and south Auckland and amongst Pacific and ethnic communities."

Nanaia Mahuta has surprised a few people in politics with her last minute decision enter the Labour leadership race.

The Hauraki-Waikato MP has been nominated by Louisa Wall and Su'a William Sio.

Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper told Larry Williams it shows the Cunliffe faction is alive and well.

"She's closely aligned to David Cunliffe, obviously was disappointed at him pulling out of the leadership yesterday, but look - she'll have as much show of getting the leadership as what David Cunliffe would have."