Labour Party up and comer Jacinda Ardern met a variety of people in Rotorua yesterday from unemployed youth to the elderly.
The party spokeswoman for Social Development and Children was visiting the city on a wide-ranging mission. "In part, I'm here to find out how the Government's plans for vulnerable children are working here in Rotorua, to find out how that's all going on the ground," she said.
"I'm in the process of putting together Labour's alternative children's policy, this is not about pulling apart what is already in place but we never thought the process was broad enough." Ms Ardern was also keen on looking into youth unemployment issues.
For a time during her youth, in the 1980s, she was brought up in Murupara which was struggling after the forestry boom had dropped off.
She also held a community breakfast meeting at Aunty Annie's Cafe on Hinemoa St, a trade training initiative at Te Waiariki Purea Trust, a visit to Rotovegas Youth Health and another meeting with Age Concern Rotorua before heading back to her Auckland home in the afternoon.