Handshakes and back-pats were aplenty, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spent her first Alert Level 1 workday in the Bay, on June 6.

She began her day by visiting Trevelyan's Kiwifruit Packhouse in Te Puke, following the Government announcing a $200,000 investment into kiwifruit training pathways.

As well as taking a tour of the packhouse and addressing the media, Ardern asked staff about their working experience, and employment plans following the end of the season.

'We're visiting the Kiwifruit industry today as an acknowledgement to the huge work that they've undertaken through COVID-19,” Ardern told the media.

'It highlights the importance of us working together. Alongside the industry, the Government is supporting re-training programmes to support even more kiwis coming into this industry, at the time when we need jobs the most.”

Trevelyan's managing director James Trevelyan says the visit was 'an honour”.

'It's been a great day. Not only did we get to show the Prime Minister what we've been doing, but it's the last packing day of the season and the first day of Level One – a relief for many.”

Later, Ardern joined employment minister Willie Jackson at NZ Home Solutions at the Mount, to visit an apprentice they hired last year under the Mana in Mahi scheme.

Earlier, Willie Jackson announced an investment of more than $1 million to help Tairāwhiti youth into employment at the Tauranga Boxing Academy – a busy day indeed for BOP politics.