Jacinda Ardern to remain in charge of NZ until she gets to hospital
Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford say they will share what they can about their first baby - but hope their privacy will be respected in the weeks after the birth.
Prime MInister Jacinda Ardern won't hand over the country to acting prime minister Winston Peters until the point she arrives at hospital to give birth, it has been confirmed.
In a statement detailing Ardern's post-pregnancy plans, it has also been confirmed that she is planning to give birth at Auckland Hospital, but there are contingency plans in case the baby comes when she is out of town.
Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford have also detailed how they will handle publicity around the birth - as they brace for a deluge of domestic and international media interest.
The baby is due on June 17.
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Ardern will remain in charge of the country up until the moment she arrives at the hospital - after which NZ First leader Winston Peters will take over as acting prime minister. Ardern has said, however, that even from home she will be in regular contact with Peters and Cabinet.
Ardern says she will have her baby at Auckland Hospital.
Details released by Ardern's office on Tuesday confirm that the couple will announce the birth first - likely via Instagram, which is how Ardern announced that she was pregnant.
An official statement will follow from the prime minister's office.
"While the couple are happy to share with the public some moments with their new baby they ask that media respect the family's privacy in the weeks set aside to be together after the birth, and during private family moments," a statement from the prime minister's office said.
NZ First leader Winston Peters will become acting prime minster at the moment Ardern enters the hospital.
Also in the statement:
* Ardern and Gayford will not be giving any exclusive media interviews, or offering any exclusive photo opportunities, prior to Jacinda Ardern's return to work.
* There will, however, be an opportunity for media to take photos as they leave the hospital, and the prime minister will answer a small number of questions.
* Due to the high level of interest, the prime minister will also give one round of interviews to major domestic media outlets close to the time she returns to work. This will be the only formal media opportunity in relation to the new baby.
- Stuff
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