Labour heads to retreat

It has been a whirlwind week for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern — and it shows no signs of easing up.

Today, Labour Party MPs will gather at a Wairarapa country retreat for a0 three-day caucus meeting.

Ardern’s pregnancy is sure to be on the agenda as well as reviewing Labour’s 100-day plan.

The Labour-led Government says much progress has been made on the plan, with free tertiary fees for first-year students and increases to student allowances ticked off.

Legislation to allow access to medicinal cannabis for people with chronic pain or terminal illness has been introduced and the Healthy Homes Guarantee has been passed.

Labour press secretary Leah Haines said there would “of course be excitement about the Prime Minister’s recent personal news”.

“After that the focus will turn to the 100-day plan and establishing the priorities for the coming year.”

On Friday, Ardern used social media to announce she and partner Clarke Gayford will become parents.

The couple then held a press conference outside their Pt Chevalier home to confirm the news that has captured media attention internationally.

In just over a week Ardern will unveil news on her other baby — the flagship bill as Minister of Child Poverty Reduction. The bill will require governments to set and monitor poverty measures, with the aim of reducing the number of children living in poverty.

Ardern’s bill came out of recommendations from the Children’s Commissioner, not her own party.

The 100-day plan has a February 3 deadline. Haines said the Prime Minister’s focus was to complete or set in motion all the items.