The prime minister says there will be a fair amount of reflection among Labour members as they come together for the first time since the general election.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has spent the day in Dunedin visiting local businesses and organisations. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
The Labour Party's annual conference opens officially in Dunedin this evening.
It marks just over a year since Labour formed a government with New Zealand First and the Greens.
It's been ten years since the party held a conference while in power.
Jacinda Ardern spent the day in Dunedin visiting local businesses and organisations, including opening the new home of the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, Hanover Hall.
Speaking to reporters later, she said it was her first chance to stand before the party membership as Prime Minister.
"I didn't expect the last time I was front of a Labour conference to be in the position I'm in, so it will be a bit of a chance for reflection and really lay out some of the things we want to tackle going forward as well."
The fact Labour was government would not prevent members from debating new ideas freely, she said.
"I've been involved in the Labour Party for a number of years so I remember conferences when we were in government and our membership have always been very free speaking."
The conference would be "future focused", said Ms Ardern, "talking about all of the opportunities we have to change things for future generations".
