Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
A year on from Jacinda Ardern's resignation and following an election loss, the Labour Party heads into its annual caucus retreat Thursday focusing on being a strong opposition.
It was at last year's retreat that Ardern made the shock announcement she was standing down as prime minister.
Her successor, Chris Hipkins, says its been a long year.
"It certainly feels like more than a year indeed," he told Morning Report.
Labour caucus retreat this week
Hipkins said he wasn't expecting any further resignations this year and those who were leaving have already made their announcements.
"We've got an important job to do.
"We've got to make sure that we're a very effective opposition which means that we've got to scrutinise what the current government are doing and we've got to hold them accountable for the decisions that they're making."
He said the party also needed to have new ideas and fresh policy for the 2026 election, and rebuild relationships with the party's base.