The Prime Minister's announcement yesterday she is pregnant gave overseas media much to chew on.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's pregnancy announcement was widely covered by international media. Photo: CNN / Screenshot
"New Zealand has temporarily become New Squeeeeeland, this is delightful," wrote astronomer and New Zealander Michele Bannister on Twitter.
*opens news media*
— Michele Bannister (@astrokiwi) January 19, 2018
New Zealand has temporarily become New Squeeeeeland, this is delightful https://t.co/9mUlGuxrSd
The ABC's Annabel Crabb wrote "Ms Ardern will become the much-scrutinised prototypal model, adding a layer of scrutiny to what was already a tricky job."
"Essentially, Ms Ardern has a "wife" just like the male leaders who tramped before her through history."
PM Has Knockers, Uses Them For Evolutionary Purpose Shock: my new column at @abcnews https://t.co/lvLrOdG33V
— Annabel Crabb (@annabelcrabb) January 19, 2018
In an alternate universe, New Zealand's 3rd woman Prime Minister is receiving bipartisan congratulations regarding her pregnancy announcement. Oh no wait that is happening in this same universe, somehow.
— G.G. (@ggsacks) January 18, 2018
A Guardian editorial said "New Zealand was the first country to give votes to women. Now it gives childcare to the prime minister's partner".
"[The couple's] relative prominence makes the impact of their decision greater. Even Mr Gayford's screen persona as a macho outdoor man increases the significance of their announcement. It demonstrates that they recognise there's an important sense in which neither of their high-powered jobs is going to be as influential as the work they do as parents."
Also in the Guardian, Ruby Hamad called the announcement - and the way it was handled, "refreshing".
"Not that we can blame the many women who feel like they can't have a similarly demanding job and be devoted mothers, given women are still navigating a system that assumes women will be the primary caretakers of children and does so very little to help them juggle their professional and personal lives."
For the Huffington Post, Mandy Garner writes, "the pregnancy is sure to be heavily scrutinised and to attract a welter of stereotyped views about pregnant women losing focus during pregnancy..."
World leaders sent their congratulations.
Congratulations Jacinda! All the best in this new adventure. Hope to meet the little angler one day. https://t.co/uTXuN0DXeZ
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 19, 2018
Exciting news @jacindaardern ! Pregnant prime minister & stay at home dad! #NewZealand leads the way! Congrats all round! https://t.co/xQCe6uCpGW
— Harriet Harman (@HarrietHarman) January 19, 2018
Congrats to New Zealand’s PM @jacindaardern. This is first and foremost a personal moment for her - but it also helps demonstrate to young women that holding leadership positions needn’t be a barrier to having children (if you want to). An important first (as far as I know). https://t.co/grQXZmQA0I
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 19, 2018
For Metro, Sirena Bergman wrote "the attention devoted to Ms Arden's choice to procreate is being chalked up to the fact that this is first time a head of state will give birth while in power in almost 30 years".
"But this distinction suggests that a woman having a child is somehow inherently different to a man becoming a father, not to mention highlighting the gender discrepancy in politics."
Laura Hampson, writing for the London Evening Standard, called Ms Ardern the "inspirational world leader we need right now.
"Ardern is showing that women can 'have it all' and not choose between career and family. You can be pregnant while negotiating coalition deals, campaigning, winning an election and running a country - while being a generally positive and downright likeable person."
Even Buzzfeed got in on the act, with a very 2018 headline: New Zealand's Prime Minister Just Announced She's Having A Baby And People Are So Excited.
