New Zealand prime minister to give birth ‘any time now’

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s pregnant Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who is currently dealing with the country’s agricultural crisis, says she hopes she won’t have to rely on farmers’ calving expertise when giving birth.

Her government on Monday announced its plans to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis, which will include the culling of up to 150,000 cows. Since then, Ardern has been visiting affected farmers.

“My concern at the moment is what if I get caught out?” the 37-yearold, who is due to give birth in approximately two weeks time, told radio station More FM on Wednesday.

“I was down in Southland yesterday and surrounded by amazing members of the farming community who I’m sure could have helped me out if I found myself in a spot of bother with the old early arrival.”

Now she was trying to stay a bit closer to “the hospital I’m supposed to be at.” The politician, who will be the first government leader to give birth while in office since Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 1990, has clearance to fly until her due date on June 17. But she said it could be “any time now”.

The farmers’ experience may yet come in handy, as Ardern said she hopes to attend Fieldays, the largest agribusiness event in the southern hemisphere which takes place just two days before she is due to give birth.