Happy couple Piri-Hira and Mark with baby Cyrus Tukapua-Faleseuga.
Happy couple Piri-Hira and Mark with baby Cyrus Tukapua-Faleseuga.
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History has been made with the birth of Levin baby Cyrus Te Kakakura Lelologa Ansfried Te Rangihopuata Tukapua-Faleseuga.
The 8 pound 2 ounce (3719 gram) bundle of joy is the first child for proud parents Mark Tiumalu-Faleseuga and Piri-Hiri Tukapua.
Baby Cyrus was born on February 3at 6.26pm by emergency caesarean section at Wellington Hospital. He is the first baby to be born to a sitting member of Horowhenua District Council.
Proud parents Piri-Hiria and Mark with baby Cyrus.
The couple first met years ago at a Meet The Candidates evening a Te Takere. Faleseuga asked a question of Tukapua after the meeting and commended her on her speech, and romance blossomed from there.
With eyes wide open, baby Cyrus was very alert for his first visit to the Horowhenua District Council chambers yesterday.
Mayor of Horowhenua Bernie Wanden congratulates Piri-Hira and Mark on the arrival of Cyrus Tukapua-Faleseuga.
Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden caught wind of the visit and came to offer his congratulations, while council staff came for a peek.
Times are changing. Not only being the first sitting councillor to have a baby, Piri-Hira Tukapua was now in her third term as a councillor and one of four women currently sitting at the table.
Tukapua, 34, was joined on council by Victoria Kaye-Simmons, Christine Mitchell and deputy mayor of Horowhenua Jo Mason.
Proud parents Mark and Priri-Hira with baby Cyrus Tukapua-Faleseuga in the Horowhenua District Council chambers.
Baby Cyrus was surrounded by photographs of previous mayors of Levin Borough Council and Horowhenua District Council. Looking around at the history it wasn't hard to notice that all the photographs were of men.
One day in his lifetime Cyrus might grow up to see history made where a woman is mayor of Horowhenua.
Horowhenua District Councillor Piri-Hira Tukapua with baby Cyrus.
Meanwhile, Tukapua was taking the mandatory eight weeks maternity leave but couldn't help but keep one eye on council business, using the time to read through agendas and briefing papers and answer emails.
