NEW ZEALAND – The New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has announced that she is expecting. Ms Arden said she and her partner, Clarke Gayford, were expecting their child in June, after which she planned to take a six-week break.
“And we thought 2017 was a big year!” Ms Arden wrote on photo sharing app Instagram.
Arden, 37, became New Zealand’s youngest prime minister since 1856 when she formed a centre-left coalition in October. The prime minister was flooded with support after making the announcement on her social media profiles on Friday
Arden’s Labour Party came second in September’s election, where no party was able to secure a majority. She formed a government with the backing of Winston Peters, leader of the small New Zealand First Party. “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,” said Ms Arden in a statement.
“I fully intend to be contactable and available throughout the six-week period when needed.”
Ms Arden mentioned that she discovered her pregnancy only six days before learning she would be prime minister, and it was “100% a surprise”.
“I am not the first woman to multi-task. I am not the first woman to work and have a baby- there are many women who have done this before,” she said. My Gayford would be a ‘stay-at-home’ dad, Arden added.
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