Nappy new year for a happy family
The Wellington region welcomed its first baby of 2021 in the early hours of January 1.
Mikaera ‘‘Mika’’ Kohi Eruera Bracken Rochel was born in Hutt Hospital at 4.22am, the third child ofMikaera and Arama Rochel.
It was a busy New Year’s Day, with grandparents, aunties and uncles all stopping by to meet baby Mika and offer support.
‘‘It’s lovely. We’re a very family-orientated family,’’ Mikaera said, speaking from Hutt Hospital.
Baby Mika was due on December 27. The family had half-expected an early birth – they weren’t predicting having to wait till 2021 to meet their son.
Mika will grow up with two older siblings; Jizelle, 13, and 11-month-old Te Atairangi Kaahi.
Mikaera said the kids were adjusting to the new baby, though Te Atairangi Kaahi was taking some time to get used to everything. ‘‘I think she wasn’t too happy about mummy and daddy holding another baby.’’
However, compared to elsewhere country, Mikaera was late to 2021.
In Taranaki, Felix Langlands was born at 12.12am at Ha¯wera Hospital, making him a strong contender for first baby of the year.
In Auckland, a slew of babies started arriving less than an hour after 2021 dawned. At 12.45am, a baby girl made her entrance at Waita¯kere Hospital in West Auckland.
Three minutes later, across town at Middlemore Hospital, a baby boy was born, a Counties Manukau DHB spokeswoman said.
Just before sunrise, shortly after 5am, a third baby arrived, a boy who was born at North Shore Hospital. in the