The meaning behind Jacinda Ardern's fish hook pregnancy announcement

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her pregnancy on Instagram on Friday morning, posting an adorable photo of three fishing hooks, one for each member of her growing family.

The hooks were an obvious reference to partner and dad-to-be Clarke Gayford's love of fishing, which added a few extra adorable points to the announcement.

View this post on Instagram

And we thought 2017 was a big year! Clarke and I are really excited that in June our team will expand from two to three, and that we’ll be joining the many parents out there who wear two hats. I’ll be Prime Minister AND a mum, and Clarke will be “first man of fishing” and stay at home dad. I think it’s fair to say that this will be a wee one that a village will raise, but we couldn’t be more excited. I know there will be lots of questions, and we’ll answer all of them (I can assure you we have a plan all ready to go!) But for now, bring on 2018.

A post shared by Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) on Jan 18, 2018 at 1:44pm PST

An additional detail that people overseas in particular might not know but that will no doubt have played a part in the choice of photo is the symbolic meaning behind the fish hook in Māori culture.

The fish hook (hei matau) symbolises strength, good luck (and safe travel across water, which is slightly less relevant but still good).

It also represents fertility and prosperity.

The placement of the smaller hook inside one of the bigger hooks symbolises the baby growing in the belly of the mother.

Finally, as an extra nice touch, the hook representing Gayford seems to be spooning the mother hook.