Catching up with: Mother who gave birth on motorway

Shanelle Curtis with her 5month-old son Xarien. Photo / Brett Phibbs

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After his dramatic birth and being thrust into the spotlight when he was only a few days old, life has slowed to a normal pace for baby Xarien Roi.

He's now five months old and celebrated his first Christmas with mum Shanelle Curtis and dad Tangi Roi.

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Xarien was born on the side of Auckland's Southern Motorway in July. Curtis went into labour five days before her due date and was on her way from her home in Otahuhu to Auckland City Hospital to meet her midwife and Roi when Xarien decided he couldn't wait any longer to make his entrance into the world.

As Curtis screamed, "he's coming, I can't hold it in", her sister Julie Moleu, who was driving, spotted a police car ahead in the traffic.

She caught his attention and he pulled over to help. Constable Errol Diprose called for an ambulance, then switched from cop to midwife duties.

As peak hour traffic streamed past Moleu's van, Diprose helped to deliver Xarien.

"He's really good," said Curtis of her smiling baby boy.

Diprose met the new family about two weeks after Xarien's birth.

"It was cool to meet him, I couldn't remember his face from the birth," Curtis said.

"I was a little bit nervous but it was really cool."

Friday 06 August 2015: Shanelle Curtis and her new baby Xarien met with Constable Errol Diprose for the first time since Constabel Diprose helped deliver Xarien on the side of the road in Auckland on the 17 July 2015. Photo / Supplied

She headed out of Auckland for Christmas and was planning three celebration meals with family, all thrilled to share their day with the "motorway baby".

As for 2016, if Curtis and Roi welcome any more children it's likely to be a calmer affair.

"Hopefully the next one will be born in the hospital," she laughed.

After the birth, North Shore-based Diprose was praised by Police Commissioner Mike Bush for his efforts.

"This was a highly stressful incident that posed a very real risk of harm to mother and child. Errol's ability to step up and take control is a great example of the skill and professionalism of our staff under pressure," Bush said.