Raising Neve 'It'll Take A Village'

High-profile Mums Have Advice for the First Couple

- Lynley Ward

 When little Neve Gayford is carried on to a flight to Wellington in the arms of her doting Prime Minister mum at the end of July, the eyes of the country will be watching how the country’s top political leader will handle the dual roles.

With the back-to-work countdown now on, Jacinda Ardern (37) and partner Clarke Gayford (40) are set to model a thoroughly modern parenting style in the highest office of the land, with dad taking on full-time caregiving duties while his partner resumes leadership of her coalition government.

The second-only elected world leader to give birth in modern times, Jacinda is acutely aware that the help and wisdom of friends and family will be vital in raising her surprise bundle of joy, acknowledging the importance of community when she welcomed Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford to “our village” on a social media post soon after her birth.

While nothing is yet set in stone, it’s expected Clarke and Neve will shadow first-time mum Jacinda in the coming months, allowing her to breastfeed and bond with her newborn daughter when Parliament is sitting. Having recently bought a four-bedroom home in the central Auckland suburb of Sandringham, the country’s First Family will be spending more time than ever in the Prime Minister’s official Wellington residence, Premier House, though a decision is yet to be made about where Neve will be sleeping in the stately home.

“There’s no room set aside in Premier House specifically for a nursery yet – the cot and baby-changing table are still in the lounge!” a parliamentary insider tells the Weekly.

As the couple discover what suits their family best, working mums in high-profile roles in politics and business say a good support base is critical for success and happiness.