Mum's the word for new arrival

Te Puna couple Barbora Polakova and Martin Hammer got an extra special delivery this Mother's Day - a precious wee daughter Zofie who arrived four days early.

Ms Polakova said Zofie Zoe Hammer was born by caesarean section at Tauranga Hospital at 2.55am yesterday after 25 hours of labour.

Zofie's arrival is also an early birthday present for Ms Polakova who turns 30 today.

Both originally from the Czech Republic, the couple said they met through friends while separately travelling here almost four years ago, and fell in love with each other and the city.

But I wasn't really thinking about Mother's Day. To me it's baby's day, it's Zofie's day.

Barbora Polakova

Ms Polakova is on maternity leave from her job as assistant manager at Coast Kids childcare centre in Greerton.

Proud dad Martin Hammer, 29, who works as a coach with Canoe Slalom BOP and assistant coach for the national team, said their first child definitely looked like his partner.

"They both have the same beautiful chubby cheeks," he grinned.

"No, I think Zofie looks like Martin, although I'm not sure where she gets her dark hair from, as we are both so blonde," Ms Polakova said.

The date of their daughter's birth was not lost on the happy couple.

"But I wasn't really thinking about Mother's Day. To me it's baby's day, it's Zofie's day," she said.

The besotted couple couldn't stop looking at their wee daughter.

"It still feels a bit surreal," Ms Polakova said.

Mr Hammer agreed.

It was a planned pregnancy although Ms Polakova said falling pregnant happened far sooner than they had expected and knew they were having a daughter.

"Zofie is the first grand-daughter on my side of the family, and our parents are so excited," she said.

The couple decided to choose a traditional name for their daughter.

Zofie is of Czech origin meaning "wisdom" and a past Queen Zofie bore the same name, while Zoe is a common Greek name meaning "life".

"Zofie is wonderful. She's our little queen," Ms Polakova said.