Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is set to smash gender boundaries with her baby due in June.
Ardern announced that she would take a six-week break after the birth of the baby before resuming full prime ministerial duties. Her partner Clarke Gayford would be the primary caregiver.
"Clarke and I areprivileged to be in the position where Clarke can stay home to be our primary caregiver. Knowing that so many parents juggle the care of their new babies, we consider ourselves to be very lucky," Ardern wrote.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will take six weeks off after the birth of the baby and her partner Clarke Gayford will be the primary caregiver. Photo / Dean Purcell
A "totally delighted" Human Rights Commissioner Dr Jackie Blue said Ardern would be able to do both roles confidently and easily and the couple would be fantastic role models for working mums and stay-at-home dads around New Zealand.
Blue hoped the sharing of childcare and work responsibilities became the norm for Kiwi families as this would help gender equality and smash the pay gap.
"More men have to take on childcare responsibilities. And millennial men want to do it anyway.
"When men take on more responsibility it means women won't lose ground with their career."
Ultimately, after 26 weeks of paid parental leave came into force, Blue wanted to see men get paid parental leave in their own right, to help them stay at home and bond with their baby.
