Raucous applause and a standing ovation welcomed Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern to the Council of Trade Unions conference in Wellington this afternoon.

Ardern used the occasion to express, in no uncertain terms, her solidarity with the trade union movement.

The incoming Prime Minister warmly addressed those gathered and spoke of her intention to work with them in the future.

"I consider it a personal privilege and honour that before I'm even officially sworn in and still hold the title of Prime Minister Designate that I am able to come here and speak to you, please take that as a commitment to the work that we will do together."

President Richard Wagstaff said the welcome is hardly surprising, and congratulated her on the campaign, and win, of a lifetime.

"What was particularly attractive I think to all of us was this relentlessly positive attitude that I hope can rub off on the union movement and on all New Zealanders."

Richard Wagstaff said we can have a better country and believes it will be a better one under Ms Ardern’s Government.

Ms Ardern's speech outlined what her Government will do for workers' rights, and how they'll approach fair pay agreements with the unions