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New Zealand Prime Minister brings three-month-old daughter to UN debut speech

Jacinda Ardern returned from a six week maternity leave at the beginning of August: AFP/Getty Images
Jacinda Ardern returned from a six week maternity leave at the beginning of August: AFP/Getty Images

New Zealand’s Prime Minister has been praised for bringing her three-month old daughter to work with her as she spoke at the UN General Assembly.

Jacinda Ardern made her debut speech at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit where she paid tribute to Nelson Mandela.

The 38-year-old spoke about Nelson Mandela's impact on the people of New Zealand.

Her partner Clarke Gayford was sat next to her with their three-month-old daughter Neve Te Aroha.

According to the Guardian, Ms Ardern is the first female world leader to bring an infant to the meeting.

Baby Neve was even handed her own UN pass to wear throughout her time at the UN's headquarters.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN issued a statement on Neve’s attendance saying: “Prime Minister Ardern is showing that no one is better qualified to represent her country than a working mother.

"Just 5 per cent of the world's leaders are women, so we need to make them as welcome here as possible.”

Ms Ardern is the second elected leader to give birth while in office after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto in 1990.

Clarke Gayford looks after his daughter during a trip to the United Nations (AFP/Getty Images)
Clarke Gayford looks after his daughter during a trip to the United Nations (AFP/Getty Images)

She took six weeks maternity leave and returned to work at the beginning of August. While she was on maternity leave, the coalition government was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters.

The 38-year-old’s pregnancy enthralled the New Zealand public and was seen by many as a symbol of progress for women in leadership roles.

Ms Ardern's stratospheric rise to become the country's youngest prime minister and third woman to hold the office resulted in New Zealanders coining the phrase "Jacinda-mania" and her personal approval ratings have hit historic highs.