New Zealand’s ‘First Baby’ makes an adorable appearance at the United Nations

New Zealand’s ‘First Baby’ has made her first United Nations appearance, watching her mother Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speak.

Ms Ardern, 38, spoke at the United Nations General Assembly hall for the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit on Monday morning, New York time. She is expected to deliver a more wide-ranging speech on Thursday.

While her mother was speaking about what Mandela meant to New Zealand, three-month old Neve watched on, held by father Clarke Gayford, 40, who is the baby’s full-time caregiver. 

The couple, who first met in 2012, were relatively media shy until Ms Ardern was made leader last year. A short time later the pair announced they were expecting their first child.

 

Following on from her talk, Neve was lucky enough to spend the rest of the session in her mum’s arms, watching other leaders speak

Baby Neve was a big hit at the United Nations general assembly hall on Monday, New York time. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said they were delighted to see her there

Baby Neve was a big hit at the United Nations general assembly hall on Monday, New York time. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said they were delighted to see her there

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's partner Clarke Gayford held baby Neve (pictured) as the pair watched mum speak

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford held baby Neve (pictured) as the pair watched mum speak

Clarke Gayford, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's partner, shared on Twitter baby Neve's security pass for the annual gathering of world leaders in New York this week

Clarke Gayford, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s partner, shared on Twitter baby Neve’s security pass for the annual gathering of world leaders in New York this week

Ms Ardern spoke of Mandela’s ‘profound impact’ on New Zealand during her first speech at the summit, and shared how her father, who was a policeman, missed her first birthday because he was called to work during the mass protests opposing the 1981 Springbok Tour.

Following on from the speech, Neve was lucky enough to spend the rest of the session in her mum’s arms, watching other leaders talk.

Mr Gayford took to twitter to share Neve’s first UN experience, which began with 37 hours of flying.

Mr Gayford posted a photo on Twitter earlier on Monday of Neve’s security pass for the annual gathering of world leaders in New York this week. 

‘I wish I could have captured the startled look on a Japanese delegation inside UN yesterday who walked into a meeting room in the middle of a nappy change. Great yarn for her 21st,’ he said.

Ms Ardren is only the second female world leader to give birth while in office, which has sparked huge fascination. Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto was the first in 1990. 

Monday (New York time) was the first United Nations visit for New Zealand's first baby Neve Te Aroha Gayford. The three-month-old was a big hit at the summit

Monday (New York time) was the first United Nations visit for New Zealand’s first baby Neve Te Aroha Gayford. The three-month-old was a big hit at the summit

When Ms Ardern appeared on the Today Show in America, she shared that she apologised to passengers ahead of the flight to New York

When Ms Ardern appeared on the Today Show in America, she shared that she apologised to passengers ahead of the flight to New York

The United Nations was delighted to see baby Neve in the General Assembly hall, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

‘Prime Minister Ardern is showing that no one is better qualified to represent her country than a working mother. Just five percent of the world’s leaders are women, so we need to make them as welcome here as possible,’ he said.

Ms Ardern appeared on America’s highest ranking breakfast show the Today Show to talk about motherhood and leadership.

She spoke of her appreciation for parents and particularly solo mothers.

Baby Neve wore an adorable striped shirt as she watched other leaders speak during the summit, which is being held in New York this week

Baby Neve wore an adorable striped shirt as she watched other leaders speak during the summit, which is being held in New York this week

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's partner Clarke Gayford and baby Neve had a front row seat during Ms Ardern's speech

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford and baby Neve had a front row seat during Ms Ardern’s speech

‘Parents who do it on their own, my appreciation for that has increased tenfold.’

She said apologised to passengers ahead of their flight to New York as the pair took baby Neve on board.

‘There’s that look though that you get when you walk on a plane with a little one, that stare from other passengers, which I felt very conscious of.’ 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured right) holds baby Neve after speaking at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit in New York

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured right) holds baby Neve after speaking at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit in New York

 

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