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Jacinda Ardern in labour with her first child

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was admitted to hospital in Auckland for the birth of her first child.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is now acting prime minister and will run the country for the next six weeks while Ms Ardern takes maternity leave according to a previously published agreement, her office said in a statement.

Ms Ardern arrived at the country’s largest public hospital at 5:50am (local time) on Thursday with partner Clarke Gayford, her spokesman said.

The 37-year-old took office as New Zealand’s third female prime minister last year and announced in January she was expecting a baby with Gayford, a television fishing show presenter.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (right) and her partner Clarke Gayford (left). Source: Getty Images
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (right) and her partner Clarke Gayford (left). Source: Getty Images

Auckland District Hospital declined to comment.

Just a handful of elected leaders worldwide have given birth while in office, notably Benazir Bhutto who had her son in 1990 while Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Mr Peters – a colourful political veteran and head of the populist New Zealand First party – had already taken over some of Ms Ardern’s duties in recent days, including running cabinet meetings in the capital of Wellington while she stayed close to home in Auckland.

Ms Ardern has said there would be little disruption during her time off as she would stay in regular contact with Mr Peters and involved in major decisions.

She has continued to work right up until the birth, with her partner posting on social media on Wednesday afternoon a photo of her poring over official documents from home with the hashtag “still waiting”.

Ms Ardern addresses parliament in Wellington. Source: AAP
Ms Ardern addresses parliament in Wellington. Source: AAP