Early arrival springs New Year surprise

Sarah Graham plans to explore words for "surprise" in different languages. Photo / Supplied

One of the first babies born in New Zealand in 2016 is yet to be named.

But whatever name is chosen for her, mum Sarah Graham says it will reflect her little girl's special arrival.

"She was the first baby born in the new year here at Middlemore and she's a real surprise.

"I haven't chosen her name yet ... but I might look up what 'surprise' is in different languages and see if I find something from there."

The healthy girl was born at 2.45am yesterday, weighing 2740g. She is Ms Graham's second daughter, younger sister to Retiana, who turns 2 next month.

Ms Graham, 25, grew up in Mt Wellington but now lives in Manurewa, South Auckland.

She was not due to give birth until January 11 and had planned a quiet New Year's Eve in. "My waters broke at about 3pm and then we were just waiting. We came to the hospital at about six o'clock. I thought: 'Well, the baby's going to be born in 2015 or 2016. It's going to be one of those dates anyway," she laughed.

The young mother had decided not to find out her child's gender until the birth and was not too surprised that she had another girl.

"There are lots of females in my family. Lots of sisters. Her coming early was the only surprise - a good one, though," Ms Graham said.

Grandmother Lee-Anne Graham said the family had quickly gathered to be by her daughter's side and would be supporting her over the next few months.

Mrs Graham said the latest addition was their fifth grandchild, all of whom were girls.

The new baby is also a great-grand-daughter to the family's matriarch, Marion Rhiand.