Trevor's Big Plans For Parliament

The Speaker’s Pushing For A Family-friendly Workplace.

- Wendyl Nissen

The high-profile birth of baby Neve to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last year may have had many presuming Parliament was sent into a flurry of activity to get the place ready for a child.

But, in fact, thanks to the Speaker of the House, Trevor Mallard, plans to change the long-standing tradition of a child-free Parliament were well under way before the Prime Minister’s pregnancy was even announced.

It all started with Labour MP Willow-Jean Prime who came into Parliament with her new baby, Heeni. Many may remember the photo of Trevor sitting in the Speaker’s chair while holding Heeni as the House debated extending paid parental leave legislation in November last year.

“That was a deal I made with Willlow-Jean when we were on the campaign trail,” says Trevor.

“We were up north and Willow-Jean was having her first meeting with Jacinda at an afternoon function with the community and her mum was there to look after baby Heeni, but after she had a feed she was a bit uncomfortable and so I offered to take her outside and settle her down.

“The expectation was that I would be back in 30 seconds with a crying baby, but I managed to settle her, to the amazement of everyone. So I said to Willow-Jean, when she

was elected, to bring Heeni into the House and I would hold onto her.”

Trevor admits he’s a bit of a baby whisperer after one of his three children had colic, carrying them on his shoulder until they were soothed.

And he loves babies. He’s a grandfather of six and by his own admission, “I’m not at all scared of babies!”

In fact, the day before this interview he received a text in his office from Education Minister Chris Hipkins who had his new baby girl, Isabel, at the Parliamentary café and required some of Trevor’s baby-minding skills. “I was more than happy to rush over and hold her,” he laughs.