New Zealand's prime minister has returned to parliament, six weeks after the birth of her daughter, Neve.
Jacinda Ardern and her family arrived in Wellington over the weekend and on Monday she took back her seat at the head of the Cabinet table.
"The last six weeks have been wonderful, not only because of the birth of our healthy daughter but because we have been gifted, by this cabinet, by the people of New Zealand, this time together," she told the government's senior ministers as they welcomed her back.
"I don't know how I can return the favour. Perhaps by not asking you to assist at four o'clock in the morning."
On her return to the capital on Saturday, 38-year-old Ms Ardern told reporters she and partner Clarke Gayford would be spending a few days preparing Premier House - New Zealand's official prime-ministerial residence - for a baby.
"I guess (it's) the first time it's probably had a little one there. We'll be pulling together all of the second-hand furniture our friends have passed onto us for Neve," she said.
Ms Ardern is only the second elected world leader to give birth while holding office and the first to take maternity leave.
There will be no time for a run-up though. In the afternoon, she'll face questions from journalists at her regular media conference and, on Tuesday, from opposition politicians when parliament sits.
The latest Colmar-Brunton OneNews political poll has shown little movement in public sentiment during Ms Ardern's leave.
