Our First Baby PM Jacinda's Pride & Joy!

It’s a thrilling moment for the nation as our leader welcomes a precious girl.

- Sebastian Vander Zwan

It was a grey, bitingly cold morning in Auckland on Thursday, June 21, 2018, four days after their due date, when Clarke Gayford drove Jacinda Ardern to hospital to give birth to their first child.

The pair arrived at 5.50am on that drizzly winter solstice, the shortest, darkest day of the year. Just under 11 hours later, the Prime Minister of New Zealand warmed the nation’s hearts by delivering a baby daughter.

Jacinda, 37, made global headlines by becoming only the second elected world leader in modern history to give birth while in office, but in typical down-to-earth fashion, she announced the news by sharing a sweet snap of the First Family on Instagram, with the newborn wearing a hat knitted by a supporter and wrapped in a shawl handmade by Clarke’s mum.

“Welcome to our village, wee one,” the new mother captioned the picture. “Feeling very lucky to have a healthy baby girl that arrived at 4.45pm, weighing 3.31kg (7.3lb). Thank you so much for your best wishes and your kindness. We’re all doing really well thanks to the wonderful team at Auckland City Hospital.”

Fish of the Day host Clarke, 40, wrote on social media, “So happy to announce our little girl has finally arrived!

Everyone healthy and happy.” In a press release, Jacinda added, “I’m sure we’re going through all of the emotions new parents go through, but at the same time feeling so grateful for all the kindness and best wishes from so many people.”