Thankfully, images of new motherhood in parliament are no longer as foreign as they once were. Weāve seen Australian Senator Larissa Waters breastfeed while addressing Parliament and Jacinda Ardern cradle her newborn while making her UN debut. But this week an image of New Zealand speaker Trevor Mallard is going viral for all the right reasons.
Labour MP TÄmati Coffey attended parliament for the first time since his paternity leave with baby TÅ«tÄnekai Smith-Coffey, in tow. The speaker of New Zealandās parliament took over babysitting duties while presiding over a political debate. From there, Mallard proceeded to bottlefeed TÅ«tÄnekai ā an image which has resonated worldwide.
Mr Mallard tweeted pictures of himself nursing the infant as he presided over the debate. āNormally the Speakerās chair is only used by Presiding Officers but today a VIP took the chair with me,ā he wrote. He also congratulated Mr Coffey and his husband on the newest member of their family.
TÅ«tÄnekai was born via surrogate but is Coffeyās biological son whom he shares with partner Tim Smith.
Golriz Ghahraman, a member of the New Zealand Parliament, also Tweeted: āWho needs to see this today? Every single last one of us, thatās who. Hereās a brand new papa holding his newborn in our House of Representatives right now.ā
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