Jacinda Ardern Instagram – Just finished up an afternoon at the Local Government New Zealand conference in Palmerston North. Great to be joined by our local MP @tangiutikere our Minister @nanaia_mahuta and our new Associate Minister for Local Government @kieranmcanulty . Kieran is also our Minister for National Emergency Management so gave an update on some of the weather events across the country (stay safe out there everyone!) As for me, I used my address at the conference to talk about all of the pressing issues we need to tackle together, but also acknowledged that it’s not easy to put yourself forward for local government. We need and want great representatives though, so we all have a job to do in making sure we encourage really robust debate, but respectful debate too. To anyone who is running in the local government elections this year, I wish you well and am grateful people continue to show such a commitment to our local communities as we tackle infrastructure, climate and well being challenges together.