Late last year, newly elected New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that she was pregnant with her first child. And whether she knew it at the time or not, Jacinda was about to become the first Kiwi woman in history to give birth to a baby while in power.
Well, that historic day has finally come, with the 37-year-old political trailblazer, along with her partner, Clarke Gayford, welcoming a baby girl into the world.
And, as promised, they’ve shared a first adorable pic on Instagram.
“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 wrote on her Instagram post.
As previously reported by The Weekly, news of Jacinda’s pregnancy came as a surprise – including to Jacinda and Clarke.
At the time, Jacinda hadn’t been in New Zealand’s top position for long before announcing her pregnancy – something that in turn sparked global debate.
Critics were whispering: How could the new Prime Minister of New Zealand have a baby and still run the country?
But the gutsy, likeable, keenly principled politician was quick to silence her critics. “I am not the first woman to multi-task! I am not the first woman to work and have a baby. I know these are special circumstances, but there are many women who have done this well before I have,” she said.
At her final press conference before going on “mat leave”, so to speak, the PM was asked how she was going choosing a baby name was going. “Terribly,” she responded before asking the gathered media for suggestions. She also said that she and Clarke were hoping for “a bit of quiet time together as a family” before having to front up for the media show again.
Congratulations to Jacinda and Clarke!
