WELLINGTON: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday she was pregnant with her first child, prompting an outpouring of support from women's rights groups and labour activists as she declared "I'll be a prime minister and a mum".
Ardern said she planned to work until the end of her pregnancy in June and then take six-weeks leave, during which time Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters would run the country.
Speaking to reporters outside her Auckland home, Ardern said her partner Clarke Gayford would care for the "surprise" addition full-time and that the whole family would travel together when necessary.
"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 it well before I have," she said.
The popular 37-year-old politician's pregnancy is one of the very few examples of an elected leader holding office while pregnant and the first in New Zealand's history. Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto gave birth while she was prime minister in 1990.
Ardern, who came to power through a coalition deal after a closely fought election last year, has experienced a meteoric rise to power as New Zealand's youngest prime minister in more than a century, and its third female leader.
Ardern's rise to power has generated intense interest in her personal life and drew comparisons with other youthful leaders such as France's Emmanuel Macron and Canada's Justin Trudeau.
Sign Of Progress In Women's Rights
Ardern was quick to assure the public that she would only take six weeks off, during which time she would still be contactable, so that the country would run as usual.
The short period contrasts with her party's parental leave policies, with the Labour-led coalition expanding paid parental leave from 18 to 22 weeks in one of its first legislative changes. That is set to rise again to 26 weeks in 2020.
Ardern acknowledged that she was "lucky" that her partner, a well-known television fishing show presenter, could take time off to travel with her while he cared for the baby full-time.
She had no plans to stop work until June and would fly to London in April to attend a Commonwealth leader's meeting.
Advocacy groups and politicians from across the political spectrum were quick to offer support.
"It's really inspiring...having our prime minister lead by example is a great sign of how far we've come in women's industrial rights in New Zealand," said Council of Trade Unions President Richard Wagstaff in an emailed statement to Reuters.
New Zealand has long held a progressive reputation, having been the first country to give women the right to vote in 1893.
"It's amazing timing...125 years later we have a prime minister who's going to give birth in office," said Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter.
Ardern revealed on Friday that she had unexpectedly found out she was pregnant on Oct. 13, just six days before she was propelled into the country's top job when New Zealand First Party leader Peters announced he was siding with Labour in post-election negotiations.
When asked by a reporter how she had managed putting together a government while suffering from morning sickness, she replied, "it's just what ladies do".
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Ardern said she planned to work until the end of her pregnancy in June and then take six-weeks leave, during which time Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters would run the country.
Speaking to reporters outside her Auckland home, Ardern said her partner Clarke Gayford would care for the "surprise" addition full-time and that the whole family would travel together when necessary.
The popular 37-year-old politician's pregnancy is one of the very few examples of an elected leader holding office while pregnant and the first in New Zealand's history. Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto gave birth while she was prime minister in 1990.
Advertisement
Ardern's rise to power has generated intense interest in her personal life and drew comparisons with other youthful leaders such as France's Emmanuel Macron and Canada's Justin Trudeau.
Advertisement
Ardern was quick to assure the public that she would only take six weeks off, during which time she would still be contactable, so that the country would run as usual.
Advertisement
Ardern acknowledged that she was "lucky" that her partner, a well-known television fishing show presenter, could take time off to travel with her while he cared for the baby full-time.
Advertisement
Advocacy groups and politicians from across the political spectrum were quick to offer support.
Advertisement
New Zealand has long held a progressive reputation, having been the first country to give women the right to vote in 1893.
"It's amazing timing...125 years later we have a prime minister who's going to give birth in office," said Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter.
Ardern revealed on Friday that she had unexpectedly found out she was pregnant on Oct. 13, just six days before she was propelled into the country's top job when New Zealand First Party leader Peters announced he was siding with Labour in post-election negotiations.
When asked by a reporter how she had managed putting together a government while suffering from morning sickness, she replied, "it's just what ladies do".
© Thomson Reuters 2018
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
To Parents-To-Be Devoleena Bhattacharjee And Shanawaz Shaikh, Big Love From Jay Bhanushali, Dalljiet Kaur And Other Celebs Dill Mill Gayye Actress Drashti Dhami Announces Pregnancy: "Please Send Cash And French Fries Our Way" K-Pop Singer Anda Announces Pregnancy, Reveals She Got Married Last Year Kolkata Rape-Murder: Fractures, 150 mg Semen, Other Claims Denied By Cops CBI Team At Kolkata Hospital For Digital Mapping Of Crime Scene Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah To Be Prosecuted In Land Scam Case BHU Admission 2024: Undergraduate Round 1 Seat Allotment Result To Be Released Today US Teen Robs Convenience Store, Then Kills Man Of Indian Origin On CCTV, Stray Dog Goes On Biting Spree In UP, 17 People Attacked In 1 Hour Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.