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National | Auckland

PM arrives at hospital to deliver baby

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is at Auckland Hospital to deliver her baby.

The prime minister’s office confirmed that Ardern arrived at hospital driven by partner Clarke Gayford as planned this morning.

The soon-to-be parents arrived at 5.50am.

Ardern’s due date was June 17 but she said last week if baby did not arrive on time she could be medically induced.

Ardern is expected to take leave for 6-weeks with the reins of power now officially in the hands of Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters.

The Rt. Hon. Jacinda Adern is New Zealand’s first prime minister to give birth while in office.

During her pregnancy, she was gifted names by Māori iwi as well as a request for her baby’s placenta to be buried at Waitangi.

Ardern and Gayford have kept the baby’s gender between themselves.

But the expected arrival has already gained worldwide media attention.

Read more on this topic:

Well-wishes flow as PM goes into labour
https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/well-wishes-flow-pm-goes-labour

Baby could arrive on the Winter Solstice
https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/pms-baby-could-arrive-during-winter-solstice