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Jacinda Ardern reveals plans for baby's birth

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she'll only be handing over the reins once she gets to hospital to have her baby.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Source: AAP

New Zealand's prime minister plans to make it to a hospital to give birth before handing over her duties.

With her first child due on June 17, Jacinda Ardern's office on Tuesday released a detailed plan about what will happen once the baby arrives.

"At the point that Jacinda Ardern arrives at hospital to have the baby, acting prime minister responsibilities will begin for deputy prime minister Winston Peters," it reads.

But while the plan also lays out when and how the media can expect to see New Zealand's First Family, it's all contingent on Ms Ardern actually making it to Auckland Hospital.

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She's been determined to keep working and travelling until the time comes, and her office on Tuesday confirmed she would keep working even if the baby didn't arrive until well after the due date.

Jacinda Ardern continued to work as Prime Minister right up until the birth.
Jacinda Ardern will soon give birth to her first child. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac

In recent weeks, the 37-year-old prime minister has admitted she's getting nervous about getting caught out.

"There are contingency plans in place for the birth in the event the Prime Minister is not in Auckland," Tuesday's announcement said.

Ms Ardern will hand over her day-to-day prime-ministerial duties for six weeks, but will still be on call for major decisions.

After she returns to parliament, her partner, television presenter Clarke Gayford, will be their child's primary carer.


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