The nation waits as Jacinda Ardern enters Auckland Hospital to give birth to her first baby

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has entered hospital to give birth to her first baby.

As of 10am today there's been no word on Ms Ardern's status after she entered Auckland City Hospital at 5.50am after being driven there in her own car by partner Clarke Gayford.

The Prime Minister's office confirmed Ms Ardern had entered hospital in a statement today.

The Prime Minister said today her and partner Clarke Gayford are excited "to do this". Source: 1 NEWS

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is now Acting Prime Minister.

When Ms Ardern gives birth, she will be the world's first country leader, in modern times, to give birth while governing. 

The only other comparable example was Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto giving birth to daughter Bakhtawar while in office, on January, 25 1990.

She'll fully resume her duties as prime minister around the start of August but will have significant input into major Government decisions while on leave.


Yesterday Mr Gayford shared a photo of Ms Ardern at home reading, three days after the baby was due.

The pair were asked if they were concerned with the baby’s future privacy. Source: 1 NEWS

Ms Ardern caused a flutter when she appeared to say 'her' in a radio interview. Source: 1 NEWS

Ms Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford are at Auckland Hospital. Source: Breakfast