She is in a steadfast Labour city, and in recent months the coalition government she leads has signed off a $1billion-plus hospital rebuild for Dunedin, and as well as making a contribution to the city's waterfront development.
Ms Ardern's personal popularity is riding high in the polls, and her party climbed back ahead of National in the latest 1 News Colmar Brunton poll.
Labour activists talk about the party having momentum, but this supposed resurgence in favour is built on questionable foundations.
Just a few weeks ago Ms Ardern's political management was being questioned in the wake of rumours of discord in the coalition Government and the aftermath of two Cabinet ministers losing their jobs.
Business confidence remains brittle, and that is echoed by the latest poll, which found pessimism over New Zealand's economic prospects at 41% and optimism at just 33%.
Both Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Ms Ardern will be making major speeches and the stakes are higher than might be supposed for what should be an enthusiastic party rally.
Mr Robertson - like many a Labour finance minister before him - is battling to convince business leaders of his fiscal responsibility.
Ms Ardern - like many a previous Labour prime minister - is battling to meet the raised expectation of Labour loyalists while avoiding opposition claims of selling out to union interests.
For both, their conference speeches are of great importance.
Mr Robertson has to somehow appear both generous and dependable at the same time, while Ms Ardern will be looking to add some fortitude to her feel-good conference finale.
Neither task will be easy, but good performances over the weekend may go some way to making the second year of the Ardern-lea government less rocky than the first.
