It's a fresh and relaxed picture - the kind Labour would love to replicate nearly every day on the campaign for the General Election no doubt. How will Ardern's stonking win in Mt Albert affect her standing in the party? Her colleagues are understood to be watching with interest.

OPINION: Well, no surprises there.

It was a stonking win in the Labour stronghold of Mt Albert, for the party's candidate Jacinda Ardern.

In a two-horse race, where even some key Greens members were voicing the expectation Ardern would pull a vote ratio of 9:1 compared to their own candidate, she was never going to lose.

Realistically, the margin was never going to be quite that big - Mt Albert is one of the Greens strongest performing electorates when the party vote is in the mix - but Ardern had it in the bag.

READ MORE:

* Recap: Mt Albert by-election - watch as the results roll in

* Ardern holds Mt Albert for Labour

* Andrew Little's morning after headache in Mt Albert

It now means Labour has to ask itself some questions.

Firstly, what to do with her? Ardern is Labour's biggest asset in Auckland, successive leaders have kept her just out of the throne room for some years now.

But that will only last so long, such is the pull of the spotlight.

So the second question is how badly does Labour want to win this election?

Against a new National leadership team in Bill English and Paula Bennett, Labour leader Andrew Little and veteran Annette King will forgo any arguments of tiredness that most Oppositions would expect to be able to level towards a third-term Government.

It should be pointed out, Ardern has taken the utmost care to never utter the words she wants the top job, or even the deputy, but no politician has ever sat four seats away from the top of the table and not taken count.

Conversely, it's understood King has been none too subtle about her views Ardern is not up to her job.

But rather than simply looking at sheer force of personality, lets look at the practicalities. Labour's leadership team boasts two political veterans, both highly capable but both Wellington-based and at the General Election, both will be standing as list candidates.

There will be no Auckland representation in their leadership team, or even their top three, with Finance spokesman Grant Robertson the MP for Wellington Central.

That should not be underestimated. And neither should the opinions of nearly every non-political person at a backyard barbecue who says "I don't follow politics too much, but I really like that Jacinda Ardern lady". (There are many).

It's been commented on widely that if Ardern wins as convincingly as she should, and pulls a respectable turnout, then Labour leader Andrew Little would be wise to consider his team and strike in the week after.

With National changing their lineup and the Prime Minister just two months ago, Labour is well justified in an election-year refresh without too much flak.

Ardern will take heart from her performance yesterday; she's an example of a shining star that won't be outshone by others in their twilight.

She'll allow herself Sunday to enjoy it, but tomorrow, it's straight back to the grindstone for re-election in September.

That election will be tougher, but still hers to lose.

The other danger Labour has, is a tendency to crow about a good "ground game", and expect National to be scared at that.

Labour has always done well in by-elections - with a mobilised and enthused ground-force, ready to knock on doors in the thousands it's easy for them in confined space.

Sitting in Ardern's election night camp last night, what I saw was a room full of happy faces, granted. But minutes after Little arrived, he stood in a huddle with MP Phil Twyford and Ardern in the centre of the room.

Ardern quickly peeled off and continued working the room, while the odd person came up and talked to Little. He eventually did that same, but it's clear he's not the natural Ardern is, and former Prime Minister John Key was without trying.

The coordination of a good ground game will not translate to a nationwide setting without some serious inspiration.

The kind that comes from someone people like, even if they can't quite put their finger on why.