NZ's first baby home with mum the PM

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has taken home her baby girl Neve, after the new family made their media debut on Sunday.

Clarke Gayford, Jacinda Ardern with baby Neve.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford have taken home baby Neve. (AAP)

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is getting on with her other big role - being a mum to baby Neve.

A smiling Ms Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford left Auckland Hospital to take home their daughter, who was born last Thursday.

Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford slept through her first media event as her parents explained her name and thanked everyone for their best wishes.

"It means, in various forms, bright and radiant and snow, which seemed like a good combination for Matariki (Maori new year) and for solstice," the 37-year-old prime minister told reporters.

Aroha in Maori means love and Te Aroha is also the name of a mountain near where Ms Ardern's family come from.

"Te Aroha was our way of reflecting the amount of love this baby has been shown before she arrived."

Since the birth on Thursday, Ms Ardern has been inundated with messages and gifts from world leaders, including the Queen, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who sent a handwritten note saying they look forward to their meeting later in the year.

"But as equally special to us were just those people who took time to send a little note, or a blanket or a set of booties," Ms Ardern said.

The new family will spend the next couple of weeks away from the spotlight.

"Over the next six weeks we'll do what every other parent does and learn the little nuances ... and just figure things out as we go."

Ms Ardern has temporarily handed over the reins of the country to deputy Winston Peters while she takes six weeks maternity leave - a first for a serving leader of a country.

Mr Gayford will be Neve's primary caregiver when Ms Ardern returns to work.


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Source: AAP


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