Jacinda’s pregnancy surprise
Politicians are excited about the news Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is pregnant, while a political expert says it can only shine a positive light on life in New Zealand.
Ardern announced on Friday morning she and her partner Clarke Gayford are expecting their first child in June.
She will take six weeks off work after giving birth, with deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters stepping up to acting prime minister during that time.
Gayford will be the primary caregiver when Ardern goes back to work.
Massey University associate professor Grant Duncan, who teaches political theory and New Zealand politics, said the pregnancy sent a positive message.
‘‘What’s the big deal? A woman can be a mother and hold the highest office in the country.’’
Duncan, who was the primary caregiver for his daughter, said it was also important to acknowledge the positive message Gayford sent by being a stay-at-home dad.
Peters’ elevation to acting prime minister would not be new, as he had done the same job in Sir Jim Bolger’s National-led Government, formed in 1996.
‘‘When you get Winston Peters in an office of great responsibility, such as minister of foreign affairs or acting prime minister, he behaves himself,’’ Duncan said.
Furthermore, deputies have before stepped up to become acting prime minister, including Labour’s Hugh Watt, when Norman Kirk died in 1974.
Sir Geoffrey Palmer probably made the biggest call of any acting prime minister when, in February 1985, he turned back the nucleararmed USS Buchanan. He believed then-prime Minister David Lange was unable to be contacted at the time, as he was in the Pacific.
Duncan said Peters was likely to hold down the ship, rather than rock the boat, while Ardern was on leave.
Ardern still intended to be in contact with her Cabinet, so would be able to let Peters know what she thought on various issues, he said.
Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-galloway said he and the rest of his Labour colleagues found out during a conference call on Friday morning shortly before the new arrival was announced publicly.
‘‘Most of us know Jacinda personally as a friend, as well as a colleague, and we know just how exciting this is for Clarke and her.
‘‘It is another exciting challenge for a person who has proven time and time again that she is a very capable person.
‘‘Jacinda is an absolute natural with children and she is going to make a wonderful mum.’’
Lees-galloway, who has children, said the most important part of parenting as a politician was making sure there was time set aside for your family.
‘‘That can be a real challenge, but I think that New Zealand will give the prime minister every opportunity to spend that time with her child each week.’’
Palmerston North City councillor Aleisha Rutherford, who gave birth to a baby boy Max while on the council, said the announcement was excellent for women thinking of getting into politics at any level.
‘‘She is already a great role model as a young, female prime minister.
‘‘People are going to see this and think: ‘I don’t have to put my career on hold to have a family, or vice versa’. ‘‘It is going to make such a difference to future generations. This removes barriers.’’
Having a young child came with its challenges, but juggling motherhood and council work was made easier by her fellow councillors, she said.
Some would help her carry bags from her car, hold on to Max during meetings, take him for a walk in the pram while she had a bite to eat, or get her a cup of tea when she got to the council chamber.