24 Apr 2018

Jacinda Ardern cleared to fly up until due date

5:08 pm on 24 April 2018

The Prime Minister says she's been cleared to fly right up until her due date and intends to keep working up until that time.

Jacinda Ardern and her partner, Clarke Gayford, arrive in Tonga.

Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford disembarking from the plane during a recent trip to Tonga. Photo: Pool photo / Michael Craig / New Zealand Herald

Jacinda Ardern is due on 17 June; she intends to take six weeks off for maternity leave and hand over the reins to the Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

Ms Ardern has just returned from Europe and she said she had to get special clearance for the long haul flights, but there were no problems with that.

There would be no more international travel before June, she said.

"There's nothing on the schedule but also nothing that I'm necessarily missing as a result either."

Another high profile baby is the son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, born late last night St Mary's Hospital, London.

New Zealand's official gift included children's books written by New Zealanders, a woven blanket, and a gift made by one of the Prime Minister's family members - a linen romper with buzzy bee lining.

Ms Ardern was asked if she would be making a public appearance as soon as Kate Middleton.

"Absolutely not ... when I saw that photo I counted back how many hours it had been since she'd given birth and have made sure in any interviews since then I have lowered any expectation I would be doing the same or that I would look quite as well composed as she did."

Does she have a "baby plan" in place like the royals?

"No not really, I'm going to have it and then we'll go from there."

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