23 Jun 2018

PM to stay another night at Auckland Hospital

6:35 pm on 23 June 2018

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will spend another night at Auckland Hospital with her newborn baby.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford with their baby girl.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford with their baby girl. Photo: Supplied

In a media briefing today, it was confirmed that Ms Ardern would not leave hospital until tomorrow at 11am. This was not due to any health concerns.

The couple announced the birth of their baby girl Thursday on Instagram, saying they feel "very lucky".

The Prime Minister's mother visited her new granddaughter for the first time today and said it had all been so exciting.

Laurell Ardern said the baby had been sleeping well and they were all being looked after at Auckland City Hospital.

She told media this afternoon she had not given any parenting advice.

"She's doing well, Jacinda works things out for herself, I'm sure she will just go with the flow."

Laurell Ardern was asked how Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford would be as new parents.

"I think they'll be wonderful parents because Clarke is so easy-going and Jacinda is very caring and very loving, so I know that they'll be great," she said.

The Prime Minister's Office earlier said the baby was doing really well and was due to have her first bath today.

Chief press secretary Andrew Campbell said the baby was "super cute".

There has been no mention of a name yet.

Ms Ardern's partner Clarke Gayford spent another night at the hospital.

The Prime Minister's Office said Ms Ardern's room has been a "hive of activity" with visits from her midwife, obstetrician and physio.

The flowers Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern received from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The flowers Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern received from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Photo: Supplied.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sent a big bunch of flowers which Ms Ardern had to get wheeled into her room due to their size.

They had been put in the reception of the maternity ward floor for the other mothers to enjoy, too.

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and Patricia Cornwall from the Commonwealth Secretariat have also passed on their congratulations.

Ms Ardern and Mr Gayford will speak to media at 11 tomorrow morning before leaving the hospital with their daughter shortly afterwards.

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