Congratulations and well wishes poured in from all corners of the globe following the news of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford welcoming a baby girl into the world.
"Welcome to our village wee one," Ardern wrote on Instagram at 6.15pm on Thursday.
The little girl - whose name has yet to be announced - was born at 4.45pm.
"Thank you so much for your best wishes and your kindness. We're all doing really well thanks to the wonderful team at Auckland City Hospital."
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) on
Ardern, 37, posted a photo of the baby, alongside herself and partner Clarke Gayford.
"I'm sure we're going through all of the emotions new parents go through, but at the same time feeling so grateful for all the kindness and best wishes from so many people. Thank you," Jacinda Ardern said.
Both mum and the baby are doing well.
Ardern was driven to Auckland City Hospital by Gayford, as was planned, before 6am on Thursday.
Almost 11 hours later, the little girl - whose name has yet to be announced - was born at 4.45pm.
The PM's office also passed on information from the Auckland DHB that 16 babies had been born at Auckland City Hospital before the announcement of the First Baby's birth.
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark was one of many to wish Ardern and Gayford well in their new addition.
"First and foremost, today is a very happy day in the lives of Jacinda and Clarke as they welcome the arrival of their baby daughter.
"My full congratulations go to both Jacinda and Clarke, and I wish them and their new baby all the best."
New Zealanders took the news of Jacinda's pregnancy in their stride, she said.
"This is a sign of our maturity as a country and its acceptance that combining career and family is a choice which women are free to make.
"For New Zealand, these events and the way our country has greeted them will be seen as inspirational by all who advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment."
Attitudes had changed on such issues since she entered New Zealand politics and that was a "very good thing", she said.
Congratulations to @jacindaardern & @NZClarke on the birth of their daughter ๐ถ๐ปtoday. What a proud day for Jacinda & Clarke & for us all. New life, new hope. Parenting arrangements are #genderequality in action. This is 21st C NZ. #ProudKiwi ๐ณ๐ฟ https://t.co/w52w8CJLSJ
— Helen Clark (@HelenClarkNZ) June 21, 2018
Born on June 21 the baby girl shared a birthday with Prince William, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, singer Lana Del Ray and NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.
She also shared June 21 with former Pakistan Prime Minister and first female leader of a Muslim nation Benazir Bhutto.
Bhutto was also, in 1990, the first head of government to give birth while in office. Ardern's close friend and colleague Finance Minister Grant Robertson said he was "thrilled and excited" and was tipping some family references would be included in the mix when the new baby was named. "I'm so proud of her in so many ways. I see her as my friend, I have to say, having known her for a long time. This is just the most superb and wonderful news.
"And I'm really looking forward to meeting this very gorgeous little girl."
He had guessed it might be a girl but said Ardern had not even let him in on the secret in advance.
"I know they've been thinking a lot about names and I'm sure there will be family connections as there always are for a lot of people in the names that come forward."
He hoped to meet the baby after the family had some time together.
Congratulations @jacindaardern & @NZClarke โ from all your @nzlabour colleagues ๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ง๐๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ pic.twitter.com/aJGxaezqWt
— Kelvin Davis (@NgatiBird) June 21, 2018
Greens Party co-leader James Shaw said it was an exciting time for the couple and a "historic moment for our country".
"I join with Marama and our Green Party caucus colleagues in wishing them both all the best."
Congratulations @jacindaardern & @NZClarke - I am truly delighted for you!
— James Shaw (@jamespeshaw) June 21, 2018
A group of about 25 parents with their babies and toddlers took part in the weekly "wriggle and rhyme" class held at Mt Albert Library on Thursday.
After half an hour of dancing, clapping and belting out well-known nursery rhymes, the Herald spoke to a number of parents about what advice they had for Jacinda and Clarke.
One mother said, "Take people's help when they offer it." While another said, "Take your time and mess can wait."
Another mother added, don't take "too much advice, listen to your own intuition".
"Enjoy it, you're never going to get this again."
Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy posted a photo on Facebook, saying "A rainbow today at Government House, perhaps suggesting glad tidings are imminent".
In mid-January, Ardern shocked the country when she announced, via social media, that she was expecting.
"We thought 2017 was a big year. This year, we'll join the many parents who wear two hats. I'll be PM & a mum while Clarke will 'first man of fishing' & stay-at-home dad," the couple announced.
"There will be lots of questions (I can assure you we have a plan all ready to go) but for now bring on 2018."
We thought 2017 was a big year! This year weโll join the many parents who wear two hats. Iโll be PM & a mum while Clarke will be โfirst man of fishingโ & stay at home dad. There will be lots of questions (I can assure you we have a plan all ready to go!) but for now bring on 2018 pic.twitter.com/nowAYOhAbF
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) January 18, 2018
Ardern will take six weeks maternity leave and then return to work, while Gayford will be the stay-at-home dad.
New Zealanders were quick to congratulate Ardern and Gayford with almost 10,000 instances of "Jacinda Ardern" being mentioned in a tweet last night.
Prince William, 1982
Joko Widodo, Indonesia president, 1961
Lana Del Rey, musician, 1985
Edward Snowden, NSA whistleblower, 1983
Jean-Paul Sartre, French philosopher, 1905
Benazir Bhutto, former Pakistan prime minister and first female leader of a Muslim nation (also the first head of government to give birth while in office), 1953
Shirin Ebadi, Iranian lawyer and human rights activist and first Muslim woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize (2003), 1947
Prime Minister of New Zealand @jacindaardern is in hospital right now giving birth to her first child.
— Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) June 20, 2018
Today is also the birthday of our hero Edward @Snowden.
All the stars are aligned for the birth of another truth-teller ๐
The Queen was also well established on the throne when she gave birth to sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward after her coronation in 1952.
Her other children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, were almost 4 and 2, respectively, at the time.
Before her, the Queen's great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, gave birth to nine children during her reign in the 1800s.
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