New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern to stay put as birth nears
Jun 11, 2018
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she plans to remain within driving distance of Auckland for the rest of this week as she prepares to give birth
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday she plans to remain within driving distance of Auckland for the rest of this week as she prepares to give birth.
Ardern made the comments in Wellington before leaving for her home city. Her baby is due Sunday and would be the first child for her and partner Clarke Gayford.
The 37-year-old would become just the second world leader in modern times to give birth while in office, after the late Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto gave birth to daughter Bakhtawar in 1990.
Ardern said somebody suggested her rigorous travel schedule may be "tempting fate" and that it made sense for her to be grounded in one place.
"The impending arrival of a new addition to your family is an exciting time," she said. "I have to admit though, of course, things like travel does add a little air of tension, because it means that you're not just managing your own, you're managing logistics in case things happen before you're ready."
Ardern plans to work up until the birth and then take a six-week leave of absence, during which time Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters will fill in as acting leader. Under the arrangement, Ardern would still be consulted on major decisions including issues of national security.
Ardern said she was confident the government would continue to run smoothly in her absence.
She said she's planning to have the baby at Auckland Hospital and hoped to be "sharing the good news" in an announcement but also to have some quiet time to enjoy as a family.
Ardern has not said whether she's expecting a boy or a girl.
Asked how the couple had been faring trying to choose a name, Ardern responded: "Terribly. Do you have any suggestions?"
More News
The real pain from rising interest rates is yet to come
The number of borrowers who are behind on their mortgage payments is rising, and it’s likely to climb further as rate hikes bite.
Coalition threat to sink gas reform triggers rare industry backlash
A broad alliance of business chiefs and unions has mounted a last-minute push for the Coalition to pass Labor’s domestic gas-reservation laws.
A new fast-food giant is coming to Australia. Its unusual ingredients aren’t the only talking point
A new chain will enter Australia’s crowded fast-food chicken market after wowing Anthony Albanese at one of its Manila stores. We put some of its dishes to the test.
Wall Street’s wild Nvidia ride delivers big paydays and even bigger bruises
Investors are doubling down on speculative wagers that have delivered both spectacular gains and crushing losses this year.
Inside Boeing’s mission to rebuild trust in the 737 after years of turbulence
In the airline industry, attention to detail is everything. Boeing’s recovery is tied to reforms on its manufacturing floor in Washington.
Commercial childcare is hitting a brick wall. Who will pick up the pieces?
Australia’s largest childcare provider has signalled its intent to surrender to a lowball private equity bid as other for-profit providers collapse in record numbers.
‘I don’t care’: Inside Jensen Huang’s last hours as Nvidia CEO
At the end, Jensen Huang looked broken and shattered, his legendary energy depleted.
I worked part-time at David Jones. I know exactly why the business failed
Lift operators, bra fitters and lying sales assistants – I mourn you all.
How Elon Musk drove the Cybertruck and Tesla’s ambitions off a cliff
Elon Musk’s passion project crashed and burned. Its demise carries a lot of weight,
M.J. Bale axed its retail boss while she was on maternity leave. Now she’s fighting back
The Australian menswear retailer made its high-flying retail boss redundant days before her scheduled return from parental leave.
‘Either brave or mad’: A bastion of fine dining gets a sorely needed facelift
Rob and Tammy Charter had other ideas about how they wanted to spend post-work life. Like buying a heritage pub.
This Qantas jet was hit by lightning. It’s still grounded two weeks later
Pictures show the damage left by a lightning bolt, with charred areas of the skin and mesh exposed, on a plane that arrived in Melbourne from Los Angeles last month.