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Speaker of New Zealand's parliament cradles colleague's baby during debate

The speaker of New Zealand's parliament is making headlines, but not for his parliamentary skills...
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

08.20 22 Aug 2019


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Speaker of New Zealand's parli...

Speaker of New Zealand's parliament cradles colleague's baby during debate

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

08.20 22 Aug 2019


Share this article


The speaker of New Zealand's parliament is making headlines, but not for his parliamentary skills.

Trevor Mallard decided to cradle and feed a colleague's baby while chairing a debate in Wellington on Wednesday.

MP Tamati Coffey brought his newborn son into the parliament for a debate, after returning from paternity leave.

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The as yet unnamed child was born to Mr Coffey and his husband Tim Smith via a surrogate in July.

Mr Mallard decided to take on some babysitting duties, in addition to his presiding role.

Video from the chamber shows him rocking the baby as he warns an MP his speaking time has expired.

Mr Mallard later tweeted pictures of himself nursing the infant - which have gone viral.

He said: "Normally the Speaker's chair is only used by Presiding Officers but today a VIP took the chair with me.

"Congratulations @tamaticoffey and Tim on the newest member of your family."

New Zealand Green Party MP Gareth Hughes also tweeted a photo with the newborn, saying: "Lovely to have a baby in the House, and what a beautiful one".

This is not the first time a New Zealand baby has taken the reins in a parliamentary setting.

Last September, the country's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made history as the first world leader to attend the United Nations General Assembly with her baby.


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Gareth Hughes MP New Zealand New Zealand Parliament Parliament Tamati Coffey Tim Smith Trevor Mallard Wellington

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