'Great day for Aotearoa': Kiwis react to birth of New Zealand's first baby

New Zealand spent the day eagerly anticipating the arrival of Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford's first baby, New Zealand's first baby.

Waiting for the #FirstBabyNZ like... @jacindaardern @NZClarke pic.twitter.com/SRWfBhO4CO

— Angela Doherty (@lavagirlnz) June 21, 2018

The couple took to Instagram to announce the arrival of their baby girl, born in Auckland Hospital at 4:45pm today.

"Welcome to our village wee one," the proud new mum wrote.

"Feeling very lucky to have a healthy baby girl that arrived at 4.45pm weighing 3.31kg (7.3lb) Thank you so much for your best wishes and your kindness. We're all doing really well thanks to the wonderful team at Auckland City Hospital," the prime minister added.

All over the country, people began sending their congratulations to the new parents.

Congrats @jacindaardern and @NZClarke on the fabulous news. All the best for the coming weeks. #firstbabyNZ

— Christopher Bishop (@cjsbishop) June 21, 2018

The World was in need of some good news regarding World leaders and children. You could say @jacindaardern delivered. Congratulations to you and Clarke. #firstbabyNZ #jacinda #PrimeMinister #primeminature

— Nathan Bayliss (@Natobay) June 21, 2018

Mr 6 was pretty happy to hear The Boss of NZ had a baby. When I said I was going to @NZParliament tomorrow, he asked me to take a letter. Expect it when you return to work @jacindaardern. He tells the baby to be happy and don't cry too much. And introduces @starwars #FirstBabyNZ pic.twitter.com/MzvAoFKoWn

— Louise Aitken (@louaitken) June 21, 2018

That marked the day that much brighter. When other countries are setting up concentration camps for children this makes life make sense again.

— paulbrislen (@paulbrislen) June 21, 2018

Our prime minister is a mum. Regardless of what colour you vote, this is a pretty great day for Aotearoa, demonstrating that being a mother works with achieving your dreams! Thanks also @jacindaardern for looking natural in the hours following ! #KeepingItReal https://t.co/zEoQCZmyX9

— Louise Aitken (@louaitken) June 21, 2018

Congratulations to Jacinda and Clarke on their little future feminist! 😍 #firstbabynz pic.twitter.com/yxvhiffBKv

— 🇳🇿 Liz, usually horizontal 😴 (@crims0nl1z) June 21, 2018

Taking a break from taking a break from Twitter to say gday to the #firstbaby! Welcome lil un! Let's hope your gender is less of an obstacle to your career cuz of the good work of mum. #firstbabynz #welcome

— Dr. Alex T (@materialsgrrl) June 21, 2018

View this post on Instagram

Welcome to our village wee one. Feeling very lucky to have a healthy baby girl that arrived at 4.45pm weighing 3.31kg (7.3lb) Thank you so much for your best wishes and your kindness. We're all doing really well thanks to the wonderful team at Auckland City Hospital.

A post shared by Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) on Jun 20, 2018 at 11:14pm PDT

This sentence is something I never would have imagined growing up as a little girl, even with a female prime minister. There’s much to be depressed about these days as a woman, but we should celebrate progress. pic.twitter.com/n3njc51HzM

— Jess Brammar (@jessbrammar) June 21, 2018

That marked the day that much brighter. When other countries are setting up concentration camps for children this makes life make sense again.

— paulbrislen (@paulbrislen) June 21, 2018

TĒNA KOE PĒPI! pic.twitter.com/5nGS1HFNpT

— Tāmati Coffey (@tamaticoffey) June 21, 2018

Matariki baby ❤️ #jacinda #FirstBabyNZ

— Robyn Paterson (@robynpaterson) June 21, 2018

Kiwis on Facebook also shared the joy at the baby news.