Students show love for PM in Dunedin

• Ardern outlines climate plans in Dunedin

Ms Ardern is in the city for a day of campaigning today.

She started with a visit to precision engineering business United Machinists where she, with several Southern Labour candidates, spent some time talking to staff before heading to the Octagon.

At the university the Prime Minister talked about her party's commitment to climate change, and drew applause when she mentioned first year fees free tertiary study.

As soon as she finished her speech, Ms Ardern was mobbed by the crowd. Hundreds of people, mostly students, crowded around the Labour leader as they waited to get selfies. 

At United Machinists earlier, chief executive Sarah Ramsay told Ms Ardern about the importance of apprenticeships.

“You really can’t replace getting them in here,” she said.

She also said a lot of work that would have gone offshore was coming to Dunedin due to Covid.

Ms Ardern was then greeted by Labour supporters she arrived to walk around the Octagon. 

There were plenty of toots of support as Ms Ardern walked around the city centre, while other supporters yelled out from nearby buildings.

She visited Granny Annie’s sweet shop in George St, where she was gifted a pack of her favourite peaches and cream lollies.

At Hungry Hobos, she continued the time-honoured tradition of grabbing a cheese roll in the South, ordering seven for her and fellow MPs.