Radio New Zealand
Wellington, January 22, 2018
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says that she broke news of her pregnancy to Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters over a few sandwiches and a cup of tea at his home.
Ms Ardern will take six weeks off after the baby is born in June and Mr Peters will step up to cover her duties during this period.
Ms Ardern said that she told Mr Peters the news in person.
Peters supportive
“I went to his home and we had a chat over a few sandwiches and a cup of tea and he has been fantastically supportive. We talked – basically around the logistics – as well as him sharing his congratulations,” she said.
People had made assumptions about Mr Peters and any ambitions he might have to be Prime Minister, she said.
“My view is that based on what I have seen of the time we have worked together – his goals are mostly about what he can achieve for people rather than his own personal position. When you think about it, taking on the job for six weeks, having to stand up in Question Time on my behalf and do all those parts of the job, there’s not a lot of glory in that; so, I am grateful more than anything,” Ms Ardern said.
Overwhelming goodwill
Ms Ardern said that she had felt overwhelmed by the messages of support.
“I know that there are people who are critical, who have not necessarily welcomed this news and look I understand that. Had my late grandmother been around, she might have been one of them.”
She was more worried about the future privacy of her child.
“That is something that Clarke and I have talked about a lot because of course I have chosen to work in this arena and children do not. I am not the first to struggle with this dilemma. Over time, I think we will probably try and establish some boundaries but at the same time – we are public, and our lives are public. We will just try to find that balance,” Ms Ardern said.
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Photo Caption:
Jacinda Ardern at the first Media Conference after her pregnancy announcement
(Picture for Radio New Zealand by Dan Cook).
The above report and picture have been published by Indian Newslink under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
