Jacinda Ardern makes history with baby at UN general assembly

New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Ardern made history as the first female leader to attend a United Nations General Assembly meeting with a newborn in tow.

Ardern appeared with her infant daughter and husband at the UN on Monday evening. While she spoke, her partner Clarke Gayford held the three-month-old baby on his lap.

Ardern gave birth to Neve Te Aroha on the 21 June and has recently returned to work after taking six weeks maternity leave.

According to reports in the Guardian, the prime minister travelled with Neve to New York for the six-day trip because she continues to breastfeed her daughter.

Asked by NBC's Today Show (video interview below) which was harder, travelling long distance with a baby or governing New Zealand, the PM said, "it felt at the time on par".

The couple have not confirmed if they will attend any official functions in New York, instead "playing it by ear", depending on how baby Neve is sleeping.

Mr Gayford revealed on Twitter that the Japanese delegation to the UN had been left looking shocked and mystified after walking into a room where he was changing his daughter's nappy.

Ardern and Gayford have continued to juggle the demands of parenthood with her role as prime minister, but it hasn't been without controversy.

Her use of an official plane and a round trip back to New Zealand during the recent summit of the Pacific Islands Forum sparked criticism from opposition MPs over the cost to taxpayers. Ardern has paid for her partner's travel to New York.