Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gives birth to first child!

New Zealand's first child has been born.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, 37, has given birth to a girl and, alongside partner Clarke Gayford, welcomed their bundle of joy tonight.

The baby girl was born at 4:45pm, the Prime Minister announced on social media.

"I'm sure we're going through all of the emotions new parents go through, but at the same time feeling so grateful for all the kindness and best wishes from so many people. Thank you," Jacinda Ardern said.

Both mum and the baby are doing well.

The Prime Minister's office will announce later when the family is due to leave hospital.

The child's birth is significant; given she is the first child born to a female New Zealand Prime Minister, in power, in our country's history.

In mid-January, Ardern shocked the country when she announced, via social media, that she was expecting.

"We thought 2017 was a big year. This year, we'll join the many parents who wear two hats. I'll be PM & a mum while Clarke will 'first man of fishing' & stay-at-home dad," the couple announced.

"There will be lots of questions (I can assure you we have a plan all ready to go) but for now bring on 2018.''

She accompanied the message - on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - with a photo of two large fish hooks and a smaller one within one of them; signifying the growing family while also paying tribute to Gayford's love for fishing.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission.