Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern welcomes first baby
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has given birth to her first child, a "healthy baby girl".
Announcing the news on Instagram, the Prime Minister wrote: "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".
Ardern, 37, is the first woman in the country's history to give birth while in office and one of the few elected leaders to do so in the world.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has stepped in as acting prime minister and will run the country for the next six weeks while Ardern takes maternity leave.
Ardern gave birth in Auckland Hospital, the country's largest public hospital, with her partner, TV presenter Clarke Gayford, at her side.
“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,” Jacinda Ardern said in a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.