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 are privileged 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.
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 lost 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.
She said having a baby would add another dimension to Ardern as becoming a mum makes you look at the world "through a different lens".
"I'm so delighted. I hope everyone is wishing her well. That's what she needs, more support… She's going to be a wonderful mum.
"I bet at some stage when she has the baby she'll say the Prime Minister role is the easier job.
"These little people bring you to your knees. It's just very grounding."
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