PM Jacinda Ardern’s latest video proves she is the ultimate multi-tasker
New Zealand PM and new mum, Jacinda Ardern, has made it clear that she and partner Clarke Gayford are going to balance baby and their respective careers in their own unique way, and they’re making good on that promise.
Lead with Neve
Not only are they making good, they’re heading into brilliantly inspiring territory, with Jacinda the second woman – after former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto – to have a baby while leading a country.
Jacinda and Clarke’s baby Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford was born last week – on June 21. (Coincidentally the day is also fellow trailblazer Benazir Bhutto’s birthday!)
“Welcome to our village wee one,” the NZ PM posted on Instagram, after baby Neve had arrived. “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.”
We thought 2017 was a big year! This year we’ll join the many parents who wear two hats. I’ll be PM & a mum while Clarke will be “first man of fishing” & stay at home dad. There will be lots of questions (I can assure you we have a plan all ready to go!) but for now bring on 2018 pic.twitter.com/nowAYOhAbF
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) January 18, 2018
An elated and tireless Jacinda has continued to update followers – and the NZ public – from the hospital, shortly after Neve’s birth, and checked in again as she was due to be discharged. Jacinda and Clarke will both be home with Neve for the early weeks of her life, and then Jacinda will head back to work and Clarke will care for the pair’s daughter.
Yesterday, she posted a Facebook live from her living room. Make-up free and relaxed, she chatted to viewers about her new family policies, as she cuddled baby Neve on the couch.
“The most important period of a child’s life is those first early years,” she said, launching her government’s brand new policy package for New Zealand families.
Speaking about a $60 weekly payment that all NZ parents of new babies will receive, for at least the first year of that baby’s life she said, “that’s really that acknowledgement about that being such an important period and it changing everyone’s lives when that newborn first arrives.”
Read more about government and families:
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- How to keep receiving childcare rebates under the government’s new system
- 6 babies a day: Inquiry to probe why stillbirth rate unchanged for decades
It’s clear that she’s finely tuned to the needs and challenges of parents, and is especially keen to make sure all families are supported during those early days.
“This is my permanent state at the moment. Either breastfeeding or this,” she laughed, snuggling young Neve.
“I’m doing really, really, great thank you,” she says a little later in the video, in response to a question. “I was waiting for someone to say I look tired. I promise, I’m not too bad, I just don’t have any make-up on, so that’s probably why I have a bit more bags under the eyes than usual. But we’re doing great. We’re doing really great.”
“I’m going to sit here with my human hot water bottle. Thanks everyone for the lovely messages,” Jacinda signed off.
Today is the day the families package comes in… couldn’t help but share a few thoughts from the couch!
Posted by Jacinda Ardern on Saturday, 30 June 2018
“Such a good role model and leader”
Well-wishers were delighted to see more of Jacinda and Clarke’s new baby, and hear about her plans for the nation.
“You’re amazing having little baby and willing to talk to the nation!! Who’s ever done that before? Amazing lady. Get some sleep,” one posted.
“Love what you have done for our country. You’re such a good role model and leader and you will be such a loving devoted mother,” another wrote.
“A great new initiative – as a primary teacher we love to see children benefitting from the best possible start in life. So many cherubs struggle because of circumstances beyond their control, this is a step in the right direction. All the best with Neve’s start in life too!” one woman commented.
As we head home we just wanted to say thanks, from the bottom of our hearts.
Posted by Jacinda Ardern on Saturday, 23 June 2018