Jacinda Ardern's daughter Neve melts hearts on rare public outing
Little Neve Gayford has very nearly stolen the spotlight from her mum, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, while out and about on a rare public appearance in the country’s North Island.
‘First baby’ Neve - full name Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford - smiled, laughed, snuggled with her parents and just generally looked adorable during Waitangi Day celebrations earlier this week.
With her blonde, curly head of hair, expressive face and inquisitive personality, the 18-month-old tot - who largely stays out of the public eye - appeared to have grown up significantly since we last saw her in June 2019.
On Tuesday, Neve and her dad, Clarke Gayford, supported Jacinda from the crowd while she made a speech to commemorate the signing of the treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
With her official duties taken care of, proud mum Jacinda - sporting a traditional Māori cloak - mingled with locals with her bub balanced on her hip.
At one point Neve was spotted bursting into a grin and pointing to something or someone nearby, no doubt her doting dad Clarke who joined the pair for a sweet family moment.
The next day the father-daughter duo watched from the shore as Jacinda took part in an all-women paddle boat crew. Neve looked every inch the mischievous toddler while struggling to get out of her pram.
On Waitangi Day itself, Neve was as grown-up as ever in a blue cardigan and striped dress but, after a big few days, the tuckered out youngster was more than happy to cuddle up in her mum’s arms.
Born on 21 June 2018, Neve is Jacinda and Clarke’s first child making her mum the second elected head of government to give birth while in office.
She made her first public appearance three days after her birth and made history when she joined mum Jacinda at the United Nations general assembly as a three-month-old.
For her first birthday, Neve received gifts from the likes of Prince William who sent her a wooden bumblebee toy engraved with a personal message.
Just before her big day, Neve was cute as a button in a yellow rain jacket and knitted beanie for a Navy event with her parents.
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