An Australian author has slammed New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for not leading the country ‘like a woman’.
Ms Ardern became the first world leader in 30 years to give birth to a baby while in office when daughter Neve was born last month.
The 37-year-old mother, who continued her national role until she went into labour on June 21, was slammed despite being internationally praised for paving the way for working women.
An Australian author has slammed New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured weeks before she gave birth in June) for not leading the country ‘like a woman’
Natalie Ritchie (pictured) said Ms Ardern was pretending ‘mothering doesn’t exist’ in parliament because she hardly made reference to ‘fatigue, excitement or bub-preparations’
Natalie Ritchie claimed the New Zealand Prime Minister was ‘acting like’ the leading role was ‘not for women’ by failing to share pregnancy truths, in an opinion piece written for the NZ Herald.
The Roar Like a Woman author said Ms Ardern was pretending ‘mothering doesn’t exist’ in parliament because she hardly made reference to ‘fatigue, excitement or bub-preparations’.
‘What the women of New Zealand would have loved to hear was defiant honesty and connect – “does this feathered cloak make my ankles look puffy? … Pregnancy is harder than being PM”,’ Ms Ritchie said referring to Ms Ardern’s outfit she wore to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
The author also claimed the mother-of-one said she was on ‘leave of absence’ and did not say the ‘cringe-worthy words “maternity leave”‘.
‘To dump the care of a newborn on the child’s father, and then crow, as Helen Clark did, that “having a baby while being prime minister can be managed,” seems to broadcast the very opposite – that having a baby while being Prime Minister can’t be managed,’ the author claimed.
The Australian writer said the PM, who was the second world leader in history to give birth in office, should ‘make history again’ by being the first nation to ‘accommodate motherhood’s sleeplessness and physical debilitation and the time consuming and unpredictable daily childcare routine’.
The New Zealand Government is currently being led by Winston Peters, 73, until Ms Ardern’s maternity leave ends however she previously played down her absence and confirmed she would be on call.
Ms Ardern became the first world leader in 30 years to give birth while in office when daughter Neve was born last month (pictured with partner Clarke Gayford and newborn daughter)
The Roar Like a Woman author said Ms Ardern (left and right with baby Neve) said she was on ‘leave of absence’ and did not say the ‘cringe-worthy words “maternity leave”‘
‘The thing to keep in mind is: I’m not dead,’ the new mother previously told TVNZ.
Ms Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford will be a stay-at-home dad when she returns to work.
‘I’ll be Prime Minister and a mum, and Clarke will be “first man of fishing” and stay at home dad,’ Ms Ardern said when she announced her pregnancy.
‘I think it’s fair to say that this will be a wee one that a village will raise, but we couldn’t be more excited.’
Ms Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford will be a stay-at-home dad when she returns to work