Neve apple of New York’s eye

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has delivered her first speech at the United Nations – and baby Neve got a front-row seat at the historic debate after spending some of the session in mum’s lap.

Partner Clarke Gayford had earlier held Neve while watching Ardern deliver her speech to the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit.

Ardern’s status as only the second female world leader to give birth in office has sparked huge interest in her first official visit to the United States and the UN as prime minister.

She talked about the impact of motherhood on the long-running Today Show – a breakfast TV show watched by millions.

Ardern said motherhood had met all her expectations, though the joy of being a mum had ‘‘surpassed all my expectations’’.

She also said her appreciation of working parents had risen in the wake of baby Neve.

Ardern is accompanied by Gayford on the trip and he has been tweeting about some of the trials of travelling with a baby.

The prime minister’s speech to the UN on Monday (New York time) was a prelude to a more wide-ranging speech on Thursday.

In her speech to the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, Ardern talked about the former South African president’s ‘‘profound impact’’ on New Zealand.

‘‘His struggle against apartheid was supported in New Zealand through a mass protest movement that opposed sporting contact between our countries, culminating in major protest events in 1981.

‘‘My father missed my first birthday because of it, he was a policeman and was called upon to work during the protests that surrounded the tour.

‘‘When Madiba visited New Zealand in 1995, as the elected president of South Africa, he described the news of the protest actions in New Zealand as being like the sun coming out.

‘‘I remember that 1995 visit; his dignity; and his inspiration. Mandela was a living embodiment of the United Nations’ values. It is these values and Mandela’s moral example that we must look to promote in a world that is more fragmented and fractured than ever before.’’

The same values that guided Mandela were those that drove the UN charter, Ardern said. ‘‘For too long, the United Nations and the international community have waited to react. Instead, we must be proactive and place greater focus on conflict prevention.

‘‘We must speak for those who do not have a voice. We must pursue equal rights for all.’’

AFP Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern kisses her daughter Neve, as her partner Clarke Gayford, left, looks on during the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit in New York. The infant sat in her mother’s lap for the historic debate at the UN.