The backroom players
Mike Munro: Chief of staff-in waiting. Former top spin doctor for Helen Clark brought in as a strategic adviser by Jacinda Ardern during the campaign.
Gordon Jon Thompson: Acting chief of staff and a central player in the Helen Clark government. Playing a leading role in recruiting the press and other staff within the ministry.
Neale Jones: Outgoing chief of staff but earmarked for another top job in the backroom.
Mike Jaspers Chief press secretary and the man in charge of the message.
Rob Salmond: The party’s numbers man with a key role in messaging and taking the public temperature. Craig Renney: Economics adviser to Grant Robertson and the man who did the grunt work on the alternative Budget – and disproved National’s claim of a ‘‘fiscal hole’’.