Czech case fails to dent Labour mood in Dunedin

The deepening saga over the decision to grant residency to serving prisoner and Czech national Karel Sroubek has not dented the mood of the Labour Party conference in Dunedin.

There were broad smiles on the faces of delegates not seen for many years last night at the opening of their first conference in Government for 10 years.

It is Jacinda Ardern’s first conference as Labour leader and she received a rapturous welcome from the delegates.

She said there was one word she would be using a lot over the weekend — thanks. “Thanks for helping to put us into Government.”

She added there was still so much work to do.

“I know that none of us take that for granted. But tonight, perhaps just tonight, before we crack into the what next and what more, perhaps we can quickly look at what we have been able to do so far.”

She and the official party were piped out of the Dunedin Town Hall into the foyer where she met up with partner Clarke Gayford carrying baby Neve.

Ardern rushed over and cupped the baby’s head in her hands, indicating it was cold, and put a bright red cap on her.

Most of the debate will be behind closed doors but Ardern said it would be “future-focused — talking about [the] opportunities we have to change things for future generations.”

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff was the party’s first leader after losing government in 2008 and he said the party was the most unified it had been in decades. Finance Minister Grant Robertson and deputy leader Kelvin Davis will speak today and Ardern’s big speech is tomorrow.

Earlier in the day, the Czech Republic’s justice ministry said it would begin the extradition process to have Sroubek sent back from New Zealand, citing outstanding criminal charges.

In Dunedin, Ardern expressed concern that the issue could linger on for another three weeks — the time Immigration Minister Iain LeesGalloway gave for officials to report back to him.

It was also revealed Immigration New Zealand was aware Sroubek had been overseas while living in New Zealand but did not know where he went. A High Court judgement revealed that he had been back to Europe in 2009, undercutting belief that his life might be in danger if he were deported.