New Zealand's prime minister has returned to the capital as she prepares to jump back from maternity leave into politics.
Jacinda Ardern this week officially ended her six weeks off and got back into the captain's seat.
It was with a cheer from onlookers and an impromptu song from a school choir waiting for a flight at Wellington Airport that Ms Ardern was welcomed at the arrival terminal on Saturday, newborn daughter Neve in-hand, partner Clarke Gayford beside her.
Briefly addressing waiting reporters, Ms Ardern said the family would be spending the next few days preparing Premier House - New Zealand's official prime-ministerial residence - for a baby.
"I guess (it's) the first time it's probably had a little one there. We'll be pulling together all of the second-hand furniture our friends have passed onto us for Neve," she said.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has returned to work. Source: AAP
"It is an old home, but it is a very warm home."
As Ms Ardern spoke, students from Nayland College in Nelson - waiting for their flight to Melbourne for a music festival - began to sing, later grabbing a photo with the PM.
"We were going to do some busking, but then we saw the prime minister was here," the school's head of music, Nigel Weeks, said.
Ms Ardern this week spoke to media for the first time since giving birth in June, saying she was privileged Mr Gayford was now able to take on the role of full-time dad and travel with Neve.
The couple were now trying to maintain a balance between privacy for their daughter and the publicity that would inevitably come with spending time together.
NZ PM Jacinda Ardern has returned to the capital after maternity leave, to dive back into politics. Source: AAP
While her family settle into Wellington for the next few weeks, Ms Ardern will be jumping straight back into the rigours of politics on Monday.
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NZ PM Jacinda Ardern returns to work
The government ship has been reasonably steady during her six-week absence, but it's not been drama-free: business confidence has hit a 10-year-low, nurses have been on strike and tension with Australia over deportations has risen.
And there won't be room for a run-up. Parliament sits this week, meaning opposition politicians will be polishing their questions for when the prime minister steps back into the debating chamber.
