New Zealand PM says she’s having a baby
WELLINGTON: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Friday she
slapped down pre-election questions over insisting pregnancy had no bearing on a woman’s career opportunities.
Ardern was all smiles Friday as she appeared with partner Clarke Gayford at their home to announce the “unexpected
“Clark and I are really exited to share... that in June we are looking forward to wel
“We still have to get used to saying that out loud because we’ve been keeping that
the helm of the center-left Labour Party.
she tweeted.
who wear two hats. I’ll be PM and a mum
Ardern said she would take six weeks off Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters
She said she aimed to be “con - riod and would resume all leadership duties when it was over.
and Gayford previously had doubts they could conceive.
“Clarke and I have always been clear we wanted to be parents but had been told we would need help for that to
“That’s made this news a fantastic
-
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (R) and her partner Clarke Gayford announce to the press that they are expecting their first child, in Auckland on Friday.
Sexism row
Ardern’s plans for a family sparked a sexism row during the election when a saying voters had a right to know before they cast their ballots.
child rearing should not hinder women’s opportunities in the workplace.
“It is a woman’s decision about when they choose to have children and it should not predetermine whether or -
While several male prime ministers - ing Britain’s Tony Blair—late Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto is be government to have given birth during
Ardern said “there’s no doubt times
But she played down suggestions she was a trailblazer.
but there are many women who would have done this well before I have.
“There are plenty of women who carved a path incrementally to make it possible for people to look upon my time in leadership and think ‘yes I can
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull offered his congratulations on
“When we spoke this morning you sounded more excited than you did when
Ex- New Zealand prime minister
“Every woman should have the choice
Green Party co-leader James Shaw said Ardern’s announcement was sig
“That a woman can be the prime minister of New Zealand and choose to have the kind of country we are and that we
Gayford was non-committal when asked if the pregnancy meant he would now marry Ardern.