New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to a baby girl Today. She shared details of her child birth on her official Instagram account.
Ardern said the baby arrived at 4.45 pm local time, weight 3.31 kilograms (7.3 pounds).
“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 said in her post.
New Zealanders are all excited:
Baby Bump? no problem. #worldleader
Excitement and anticipation had been building over the last few days, with many media outlets setting up live blogs to track the latest developments.
The 37-year-old prime minister, who was elected in October, announced her pregnancy in January via Instagram. Her partner, Clarke Gayford, hosts a fishing documentary series, but will give that up to be a stay-at-home dad.
Ardern has fielded several questions about whether she wanted children, but has told media outlets that she should not have to respond to such an inquiry.
In an interview with Radio New Zealand, she said, “I am not the first woman to multitask. I am not the first woman to work and have a baby; there are many women who have done this before.”
Ardern became her party’s youngest leader and New Zealand’s youngest in 150 years after defeating former Prime Minister Bill English in last October’s election. It marked the first victory for the Labour Party in nine years. She led the group for three months before being elected Prime Minister.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters will fill in for Ardern while she is on parental leave for six weeks. However, she said she would remain in charge by continuing to read cabinet papers during her time away.
This is a completely refreshing news – A world leader who gives birth, goes on maternity leave and can share stories with her electorate via Instagram.
READ MORE ABOUT JACINTHA ARDEN How Jacinda Arden beat all men in the pack to emerge the youngest leader of New Zealand
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