Just the other day, Kwale Women Rep was kicked out of session for bringing her little one because she did not have a nanny. What followed was a public uproar that saw a parliament erect a creche for its female members who are mothers so they can bring along their babies to work.
New Zealand speaker became an internet sensation when photos of him babysitting during a debate in parliament went viral on social media. Trevor Mallard, who is a father of three, scooped up the newborn and welcomed the little one to the country’s seat of power. He struck a rapport with the child, as he spoke softly and smiled at the child’s face he giggled in joy unaware of its environment.
While in the capable hands of the speaker, he shared the photo of himself feeding the child of Tāmati Coffey seated at the head of the chamber and led proceedings. Born of a surrogate mother, the child while in the arms of speaker Trevor seemed more intent on snoozing than participating in the debate and while business continued, as usual, the little one gurgled intermittently
The child’s father, Coffey, a former weather presenter and the 2009 winner of New Zealand’s Dancing with the Stars, brought his baby along to the debate on his first day back to parliament after returning from paternity leave. The little one joined the list of cute newborns who have made ripples in the political scene.
Lots of people sent in their warm wishes including Green Party MP Gareth Hughes, who wrote on Twitter: “Lovely to have a baby in the House, and what a beautiful one @tamaticoffey.”