New Zealand’s Prime Minister has given birth to a baby girl, kicking off celebrations on social media.
The little girl, affectionately being called the first baby, was born at Auckland City Hospital weighing 7.3lb on Thursday.
Many celebrated the birth as a victory for women. Ardern is the first world leader to take maternity leave with deputy Winston Peters taking over her duties for the six weeks she is off.
Husband Clarke Gayford will become a stay-at-home father.
Congratulations to Jacinda and Clarke on their little future feminist! 😍 #firstbabynz pic.twitter.com/yxvhiffBKv
— L1zm3 🇳🇿🤪🧘♀️ (@crims0nl1z) June 21, 2018
Congratulations to our amazing Prime Minister and her partner on the birth of their baby girl. So pleased and proud to have our leader showing that women can work and be a parent #FirstBabyNZ #supermum https://t.co/znqWZ9F92E
— 🥔Sarah Fouhy🏳️🌈🥔 (@Foubag) June 21, 2018
It's genuinely incredible that a NZ Prime Minister has had a baby in office. Anyone who claims this isn't a historic moment for our country is dismissing the ingrained prejudice we all still have towards Women in the workplace. It's a proud day to be a Kiwi! Cha. Hoo.
— Guy Williams (@guywilliamsguy) June 21, 2018
New Zealanders who couldn’t be in the country sent love and congratulations from afar.
Warm congratulations from Pisa @jacindaardern @NZClarke #FirstBabyNZ #women pic.twitter.com/Y6Eg3RvvYe
— Sarah Trotman (@SarahTrotmannz) June 21, 2018
In a striking coincidence, the new baby was born on what would have been Benazir Bhutto’s 65th birthday.
The late Pakistani PM was the last world leader to give birth while in office in 1990.
Bhutto’s daughter, Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari also took to social media to congratulate the first couple.
Exactly what happened 💗 #HappyBirthdaySMBB https://t.co/zJBoFQ45HA
— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) June 21, 2018
A Twitter account for the couple’s cat, who passed away in November last year, also sent good thoughts.
I am purring. Congratulations, Mum and Dad. Prrrp #firstbabyofnz
— Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) June 21, 2018
As well as national and international joy, the news led to an awkward discussion for these parents.
Just heard a kid ask her Dad how the baby got inside the PM 😏
— Haley Anderson (@HandersonNZ) June 21, 2018