‘I'm not the gold standard for raising a child’

I have an incredible support network around me

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has sought to play down suggestions she is a trailblazer for working mums, insisting in New York that she’s “not the gold standard” for raising a child.

Her comments, made during a panel discussion at Unicef’s social good summit in New York, come after being praised for inspiring women juggling motherhood and a career.

Speaking on the panel yesterday morning, Ardern said there were things in her life that were not the same as most women.

“So what we do to make sure it is easier for women generally is flexible working environments.”

Ardern said extended parental leave and spaces at workplaces for breastfeeding made it easier for mothers but there needed to be a cultural shift.

“Ultimately, we can provide all of that but unless there is a culture that accepts that children are part of our workplaces, then we won’t change anything,” she said.

“If I can do one thing and that is change the way we think about these things, then I will pleased we have achieved something.”

Ardern said she was lucky to be the second leader in the world to have a child in the office.

“I have an incredible support network around me and I have the ability to take my child to work. There’s not many places you can do that.”

Ardern’s week in New York, along with about 140 other leaders in town for the UN General Assembly, includes appearances on major US television shows, a meeting with

actress Anne Hathaway, and her first speech as New Zealand leader at the United Nations.

The Prime Minister is travelling with her partner, Clarke Gayford, and baby, Neve, who was briefly glimpsed with her father at the United Nations.