It is a hard political heart that could not be overjoyed at the news the Prime Minister is to have a baby. It is a first for New Zealand and rare in the world for a head of government to give birth during her time in office. But primarily of course it is a thrill to know that the couple the country has recently come to know, Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford, are to experience the incomparable pleasure of parenthood, answering the question many considered intrusive just after taking over the Labour Party leadership.
No, she does not think being Prime Minister need preclude having a baby and she is going to prove it. She learned she was pregnant just before Winston Peters chose the Government and since then she and Gayford have made plans that should not keep her too long away from the most important and demanding job in politics.
It is her chance to demonstrate that a young woman can have both a baby and a fulfilling career thanks to her partner who will be at home shouldering most of the childcare for the next few years.
They are a thoroughly modern couple and the country can be grateful to both of them for giving it a model of equality in this respect as well as a baby to delight our public life. Its birth, due in June, will be greeted warmly. The Prime Minister's return to Parliament after a planned six week's parental leave will attract keen interest. Speaker Trevor Mallard might get more practice minding a baby in his chair.
Politicians in this country keep their children out of the limelight as a rule and in time Ardern will no doubt do the same. But this child will be in public life from birth and for a few years the toddler will probably be seen on occasions. "I think it fair to say this will be a wee one a village will raise," said the expectant mother yesterday.
