TVNZ presenter Alison Pugh welcomes baby girl

TVNZ Breakfast host Alison Pugh and her partner Jo Barus have welcomed a baby girl.

Congratulations are in order for TVNZ Breakfast presenter Alison Pugh, who is the proud mother of a new baby girl with her partner Jo Barus.

Their new arrival came as a special birthday surprise for Barus, arriving on October 23, ahead of Barus' 40th birthday on October 24.

target="_blank">Spy understands Pugh opted for a home birth in Christchurch. The couple has held off on a formal announcement as they are due to officially share their news in an upcoming magazine story.

Pugh announced she was pregnant live on air in June, telling viewers she had suffered severe morning sickness and had been hospitalised.

Prime Minister John Key was on the Breakfast couch next to Pugh at the time, congratulating her with a kiss on the cheek and telling her: "You are glowing for a particular reason ... congratulations. Well done."

Key suggested the name 'Jonathan' would be a nice name for a boy - or 'JJ' for a girl.

Barus and Pugh have been together for more than eight years, becoming engaged in May last year.