New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrived Thursday at Auckland Hospital as she prepared to give birth to her first child.

The 37-year-old Ardern would become just the second elected world leader in modern times to give birth while in office, after the late Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto gave birth to daughter Bakhtawar in 1990.

Ardern's due date was June 17. The birth has been highly anticipated in the South Pacific nation of nearly five million people. She has not said whether she's expecting a boy or a girl.

Ardern's office confirmed she had arrived at the hospital with partner Clarke Gayford.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has taken over as acting prime minister. Ardern plans to take a six-week leave before returning to work.

Under the arrangement, Ardern will still be consulted on major decisions, including issues of national security.

Ardern has said she is confident the government will continue to run smoothly in her absence.

She said she hoped to be "sharing the good news" in an announcement but also to have some quiet time to enjoy as a family.

Asked earlier this month how the couple had been faring while trying to choose a name, Ardern responded: "Terribly. Do you have any suggestions?" </s> • Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand gave birth to a daughter on Thursday.
• She announced her pregnancy a few months after she took office.
• Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto was the first world leader to give birth in office, in Pakistan. But she didn’t take maternity leave, meaning that first goes to Ardern.
• She plans to take six weeks off work, during which time Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters will cover for her.

Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister of New Zealand, gave birth to a baby girl on Thursday, and is now the first ever world leader to be on maternity leave while in office.

Ardern plans to take six weeks of leave before returning to office, in which time her deputy, Winston Peters, will be in charge instead.

She has said that she will still be on major decisions, such as issues of national security, and will keep reading briefings while she is off, but will leave the day-to-day running of government to Peters.

At 37, Ardern is the world’s youngest female leader, and is the second elected world leader to give birth while in office.

Benazir Bhutto gave birth while serving as Pakistan’s prime minister in 1990, in a totally different political climate, where her opponents used her pregnancy as a reason to demand her dismissal. She didn’t take any time off after the birth.

Ardern posted a photograph of herself, her partner Clarke Gayford and her daughter on Instagram on Thursday, welcoming her new child: “Welcome to our village wee one.”

“Thank you so much for your best wishes and your kindness. We’re all doing really well thanks to the wonderful team at Auckland City Hospital,” she wrote.

In a statement, she also 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.”

Ardern announced her pregnancy in January. She wrote on social media at the time: “We’ll be joining the many parents out there who wear two hats. I’ll be Prime Minister AND a mum, and Clarke will be ‘first man of fishing’ and stay at home dad.”

Ardern became the leader of New Zealand’s Labour Party in September 2017, and was elected prime minister a few weeks later.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark welcomed the birth in an email to The Associated Press and said that New Zealanders had embraced Ardern’s decisions.

“This is a sign of our maturity as a country and its acceptance that combining career and family is a choice which women are free to make,” she wrote.

“Let’s also celebrate Clarke as a modern man who is happy to be the full time parent of a young child.” </s> WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to a daughter Thursday and posted a photo welcoming the healthy newborn “to our village.”

She is the second elected world leader to give birth while holding office after late Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who gave birth to daughter Bakhtawar in 1990.

Ardern posted a photo on her Instagram account showing her and partner Clarke Gayford with the baby at Auckland City Hospital. The girl arrived at 4:45 p.m. weighing 3.3 kilograms (7.3 pounds).

“Welcome to our village wee one,” Ardern wrote in the photo caption. “Feeling very lucky to have a healthy baby girl.”

She thanked everyone for their kindness and wishes. “We’re all doing really well,” she wrote.

Ardern’s pregnancy has been followed around the world, with many hoping the 37-year-old will become a role model for combining motherhood with political leadership.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said in an email to The Associated Press that it was a very happy day for Ardern and Gayford and that New Zealanders had taken the news of the pregnancy in their stride.

“This is a sign of our maturity as a country and its acceptance that combining career and family is a choice which women are free to make,” she wrote. “Let’s also celebrate Clarke as a modern man who is happy to be the full time parent of a young child.”

The former prime minister said attitudes had changed since she’d entered politics and that was a good thing.

“For New Zealand, these events and the way our country has greeted them will be seen as inspirational by all who advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment,” Clark wrote.

Jennifer Curtin, a professor of politics at the University of Auckland, said there was symbolic importance in Ardern giving birth, in that it showed political parties around the world that it was fine to have younger women as candidates.

She said women often tended to be older when they entered politics. She said in other fields, women have been combining motherhood and paid work for decades, but it has only recently become more manageable thanks to paid parental leave.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has taken over as acting prime minister. Ardern plans to take six weeks of leave before returning to work.

Under the arrangement, Ardern will still be consulted on major decisions, including issues of national security. She has said she’s confident the government will continue to run smoothly in her absence.

She said that after the birth, she hoped to have some quiet time to enjoy as a family.

Asked earlier this month how the couple had been faring in their quest to choose a baby name, Ardern responded: “Terribly. Do you have any suggestions?” </s> WELLINGTON, New Zealand – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to a daughter Thursday and posted a message welcoming the healthy newborn “to our village.”

She is the second elected world leader to give birth while holding office after late Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who gave birth to daughter Bakhtawar in 1990.

Ardern distributed a photo showing her and partner Clarke Gayford with the baby at Auckland City Hospital. The girl arrived at 4:45 p.m. weighing 3.3 kilograms (7.3 pounds).

“Welcome to our village wee one,” Ardern wrote in the caption on Instagram. “Feeling very lucky to have a healthy baby girl.”

She thanked everyone for their kindness and wishes. “We’re all doing really well,” she wrote.

Ardern’s pregnancy has been followed around the world, with many hoping the 37-year-old will become a role model for combining motherhood with political leadership.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said in an email to The Associated Press that it was a very happy day for Ardern and Gayford and that New Zealanders had taken the news of the pregnancy in their stride.

“This is a sign of our maturity as a country and its acceptance that combining career and family is a choice which women are free to make,” she wrote. “Let’s also celebrate Clarke as a modern man who is happy to be the full time parent of a young child.”

The former prime minister said attitudes had changed since she’d entered politics and that was a good thing.

“For New Zealand, these events and the way our country has greeted them will be seen as inspirational by all who advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment,” Clark wrote.

Jennifer Curtin, a professor of politics at the University of Auckland, said there was symbolic importance in Ardern giving birth, in that it showed political parties around the world that it was fine to have younger women as candidates.

She said women often tended to be older when they entered politics. She said in other fields, women have been combining motherhood and paid work for decades, but it has only recently become more manageable thanks to paid parental leave.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has taken over as acting prime minister. Ardern plans to take six weeks of leave before returning to work.

Under the arrangement, Ardern will still be consulted on major decisions, including issues of national security. She has said she’s confident the government will continue to run smoothly in her absence.

She said that after the birth, she hoped to have some quiet time to enjoy as a family.

Asked earlier this month how the couple had been faring in their quest to choose a baby name, Ardern responded: “Terribly. Do you have any suggestions?” </s> AUCKLAND, June 21 — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to a baby girl in an Auckland hospital today, becoming only the second world leader to do so while in office.

It was the first child for the 37-year-old and her 40-year-old partner Clarke Gayford, with the new arrival weighing in at 3.3kg.

“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,” Ardern said.

She added on Instagram that the baby was healthy and doing well.

“We’re all doing really well thanks to the wonderful team at Auckland City Hospital.”

The charismatic Ardern follows Pakistan’s prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 1990 as the only women in recorded history to give birth while in power, but she downplayed the significance.

“Lots of people juggle a lot of things in their personal and private lives, and I’m not unusual in that. Plenty of women have multitasked before me, and I want to acknowledge that,” she said when revealing the pregnancy in January.

The birth capped an eventful year for Ardern who became prime minister last October, three months after inheriting the leadership of the Labour Party when it was languishing in the polls.

When no party won sufficient support in the election to form a government, she was anointed prime minister by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, the kingmaker in a three-party coalition also involving the Greens.

Peters, who became Ardern’s deputy, is now acting prime minister while she takes six weeks maternity leave, although she will continue to be consulted on significant issues.

“Being parents is a joy and a privilege and we are sure your new arrival will fill your lives with all the happiness our children have ours,” he said.

Ardern, who refused to discuss plans for motherhood during the election campaign, waited until January to reveal on Facebook she had conceived and was going to be “prime minister and a mum”.

Her plans for a family had sparked a sexism row during the election when a television host quizzed her on the issue, saying voters had a right to know before they cast their ballots.

She rejected the line of questioning as “unacceptable”, saying pregnancy and child rearing should not hinder women’s opportunities in the workplace.

“It is a woman’s decision about when they choose to have children and it should not predetermine whether or not they are given a job or have job opportunities,” she said then.

Pakistan’s Bhutto, who was assassinated in 2007, gave birth in January 1990 to her daughter Bakhtawar who now describes herself on Twitter as “1st child born to a sitting female Prime Minister”.

Ardern was due on June 17 and had said she did not want the pregnancy to drag on and was prepared to be induced if necessary.

The prime minister and Gayford, who hosts a television fishing show, had known the sex of the baby for several months but decided to keep it secret from the public. — AFP </s> New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to a daughter Thursday and posted a message welcoming the healthy newborn “to our village.”

She is the second elected world leader to give birth while holding office after late Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who gave birth to daughter Bakhtawar in 1990.

Ardern distributed a photo showing her and partner Clarke Gayford with the baby at Auckland City Hospital. The girl arrived at 4:45 p.m. weighing 3.3 kilograms (7.3 pounds).

“Welcome to our village wee one,” Ardern wrote in the caption on Instagram. “Feeling very lucky to have a healthy baby girl.”

She thanked everyone for their kindness and wishes. “We’re all doing really well,” she wrote.

Ardern’s pregnancy has been followed around the world, with many hoping the 37-year-old will become a role model for combining motherhood with political leadership.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said in an email to The Associated Press that it was a very happy day for Ardern and Gayford and that New Zealanders had taken the news of the pregnancy in their stride.

“This is a sign of our maturity as a country and its acceptance that combining career and family is a choice which women are free to make,” she wrote. “Let’s also celebrate Clarke as a modern man who is happy to be the full time parent of a young child.”

The former prime minister said attitudes had changed since she’d entered politics and that was a good thing.

“For New Zealand, these events and the way our country has greeted them will be seen as inspirational by all who advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment,” Clark wrote.

Jennifer Curtin, a professor of politics at the University of Auckland, said there was symbolic importance in Ardern giving birth, in that it showed political parties around the world that it was fine to have younger women as candidates.

She said women often tended to be older when they entered politics. She said in other fields, women have been combining motherhood and paid work for decades, but it has only recently become more manageable thanks to paid parental leave.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has taken over as acting prime minister. Ardern plans to take six weeks of leave before returning to work.

Under the arrangement, Ardern will still be consulted on major decisions, including issues of national security. She has said she’s confident the government will continue to run smoothly in her absence.

She said that after the birth, she hoped to have some quiet time to enjoy as a family.

Asked earlier this month how the couple had been faring in their quest to choose a baby name, Ardern responded: “Terribly. Do you have any suggestions?” </s> New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has arrived at hospital to give birth to her first child.

An official statement from the prime minister’s office said Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford arrived at Auckland Hospital early this morning.



Winston Peters, the deputy prime minister, is now acting prime minister.

Ardern, 37, will be only the second world leader to give birth while in office – the first being Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto in 1990.

Ardern has said that she will have six weeks maternity leave before heading back to parliament. Gayford, a television presenter, will become “first bloke” and a stay and home father to the child.

Ardern had her last pre-birth day in parliament at the start of the week.

Her last public outing was at the national Fieldays agricultural show where many fans spent the time wishing her well while some tried to touch her stomach.

Since then she and Gayford had posted a photo to social media of Ardern working at her Auckland electorate office

Many will be watching Peters closely, while is acting prime minister - he has already backed away from a hallmark crime and justice policy and revealed he is suing heads of departments of his own government. </s> New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has given birth to a daughter and posted a photo welcoming the healthy newborn “to our village”.

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has given birth to a daughter and posted a photo welcoming the healthy newborn “to our village”.

Ms Ardern posted a photo on her Instagram account showing her and partner Clarke Gayford with the baby at Auckland City Hospital. The girl arrived at 4.45pm weighing 7.3lb. “Welcome to our village wee one,” She wrote in the photo caption. “Feeling very lucky to have a healthy baby girl.”

Welcome to our village wee one. Feeling very lucky to have a healthy baby girl that arrived at 4.45pm weighing 3.31kg (7.3lb) Thank you so much for your best wishes and your kindness. We're all doing really well thanks to the wonderful team at Auckland City Hospital. She thanked everyone for their kindness and wishes. “We’re all doing really well,” she wrote. The pregnancy was followed around the world, with many hoping the 37-year-old would become a role model for combining motherhood with political leadership.

Former prime minister Helen Clark said it was a happy day for Ms Ardern and Mr Gayford and New Zealanders had taken the news of the pregnancy in their stride. “This is a sign of our maturity as a country and its acceptance that combining career and family is a choice which women are free to make,” she wrote.

“Let’s also celebrate Clarke as a modern man who is happy to be the full-time parent of a young child.” Congratulations to @jacindaardern & @NZClarke on the birth of their daughter 👶🏻today. What a proud day for Jacinda & Clarke & for us all. New life, new hope. Parenting arrangements are #genderequality in action. This is 21st C NZ. #ProudKiwi 🇳🇿 https://t.co/w52w8CJLSJ — Helen Clark (@HelenClarkNZ) June 21, 2018 “For New Zealand, these events and the way our country has greeted them will be seen as inspirational by all who advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment,” Ms Clark said.

Jennifer Curtin, a professor of politics at the University of Auckland, said there was symbolic importance in Ms Ardern giving birth as it showed political parties around the world that it was fine to have younger women as candidates.

She said women often tended to be older when they entered politics. In other fields, women have been combining motherhood and paid work for decades, but it has only recently become more manageable thanks to paid parental leave.

Deputy prime minister Winston Peters has taken over as acting PM. Ms Ardern plans to take six weeks of leave before returning to work. Under the arrangement, she will still be consulted on major decisions, including issues of national security. She has said she is confident the government will continue to run smoothly in her absence.

She said that after the birth, she hoped to have some quiet time to enjoy as a family. Asked earlier this month how the couple had been faring in their quest to choose a baby name, Ms Ardern responded: “Terribly. Do you have any suggestions?” </s> New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is in labour and in hospital to give birth to her first child.

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Ardern arrived at Auckland hospital, with her partner Clarke Gayford, to have her baby, early this morning.

The PM's office says there will be no further formal announcements from the Prime Minister’s office till Ardern and Gayford announce the birth of their baby.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gives birth to a baby girl at 4:45 pm local time (04:45 UTC). Ardern is the first incumbent head of government to give birth since Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1990.