GrownUps New Zealand

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she is pregnant

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she is pregnant with her first child, due in June.

“I think it’s fair to say that this will be a wee one that a village will raise, but we couldn’t be more excited,” she wrote.

A baby due in June indicates she became pregnant in September – during the election campaign. Jacinda Ardern said she first knew of her pregnancy on October 13 five days before NZ First leader, now the Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters announced he would choose Labour to lead the country for the next three years.

“Yesterday I met Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, to share the news and to ask him to take on the role of Acting Prime Minister for six weeks after our baby is born.”

“As is the case when I am overseas, Mr Peters will act as Prime Minister, working with my office while staying in touch with me. I fully intend to be contactable and available throughout the six week period when needed.”

Ardern said she planned to take a six-week break from Parliament.

Gayford would be the primary caregiver.

Jacinda Ardern will not be the first woman to give birth while in office. Twenty-seven years ago, then prime minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto gave birth to her daughter Bakhtawar on January, 25 1990, and was reportedly the first modern head of government to give birth while in office.

The Queen also had two of her four children during her reign – Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Since announcing her pregnancy Jacinda has been flooded with well wishes.