Meet the first Kiwi of 2011

Proud parents Lynette and Hayden Law hold Harrison. Photo / Herald on Sunday.

As revellers popped champagne beneath fireworks, Harrison Law was in a hurry to become the first New Zealander of 2011.

Born at 12.06am in Christchurch, he is believed to be the first baby delivered this year - beating his closest rival by four minutes. But Harrison almost didn't make it to hospital.

It was 10pm on New Year's Eve and his parents, Hayden and Lynette, had just arrived at their Kaiapoi home after a family dinner, when 28-year-old Lynette went into labour.

The 25-minute drive to Christchurch was harrowing, said Hayden, 33.

"She wanted to push as we got to Hagley Park. I thought we were going to have it in the car. I kept driving because we were so close," he said.

Lynette was rushed into the delivery ward at 11.45pm and Harrison was born just 21 minutes later - while partygoers' cheers still echoed outside.