New Zealand’s Prime Minister Just Gave Birth

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to a baby girl weighing 3.31kg at Auckland Hospital this afternoon at 4.45pm.

In a statement, Ardern said “I’m sure we’re going through all of the emotions new parents go through, but at the same time feeling so grateful for all the kindness and best wishes from so many people. Thank you." She is the first New Zealand Prime Minister to be pregnant while holding office, and only the second in modern global history.

Ardern posted a photo of the wee girl to Instagram, thanking the team at Auckland Hospital. The baby's name has not yet been revealed.

Ardern first discovered she was pregnant just six days before she became Prime Minister-elect on October 19. She announced on Instagram that her partner Clarke Gayford would be a stay-at-home dad and primary carer once her maternity leave is up.

Immediately after Ardern arrived at Auckland Hospital, all Acting Prime Minister responsibilities were handed over to Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. Peters will lead the government for six weeks while Jacinda Ardern is on maternity leave.

Ardern still intends to remain in contact with her Cabinet and said she will continue to liaise with Peters on various decisions.

Although it may be a New Zealand first, Ardern is not the only woman to give birth while in office. Almost 30 years ago Pakistan’s Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto gave birth to her second child, making her the first in modern history to have a child while leading a government.

The Prime Minister said her pregnancy brought out a motherly side of New Zealand.

Northland Iwi Ngāpuhi gifted Arden’s baby the name ‘Waimirirangi’ which is the name of the ‘Queen of Ngāpuhi’. The suggestion follows ‘Te Waru’, a name gifted by Rātana Church to commemorate Ardern's first visit as Prime Minister to Rātana.

Hundreds of New Zealanders joined forces to knit beanies, booties and jumpers for children in need, in honour of the new baby. Donations for #knitforjacinda have been gifted to the children’s ward at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland.

With Women’s Minister and Green MP Julie Anne Genter also expecting her first child in August, New Zealand’s Parliament has taken steps to become more family friendly.

The committee has recently amended the standing orders to allow MP’s babies to come into the House and Speaker Trevor Mallard has proposed a children’s playground for outside Parliament.

Labour MP Willow-Jean Prime made headlines last year for being one of the first MPs to breastfeed her three-month-old girl in the debating chamber of Parliament.