Former Act deputy leader Brooke van Velden has welcomed her first child.
Van Velden announced in March that she would retire at the election and said at the time that she wanted more time to dedicate to other ventures.
Sharing the news on social media today, van Velden wrote that she and her partner were “thrilled”.
“Welcome to the world, little one,” the post read.
“My partner and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of our baby.”
Van Velden said they were both “now home and recovering well”.
“I wish to thank the wonderful medical teams that ensured the safe arrival of our baby, and my partner for his support during the pregnancy and these first days of motherhood.”
Van Velden shared the news less than 24 hours after election polls closed.
In May, van Velden announced her pregnancy. At the time, she said her due date, ironically, was “within days” of this year’s general election.
Announcing her retirement from politics two months earlier, van Velden said she wanted more time to dedicate to other ventures and was eyeing the private sector with a potential return to politics in a couple of decades.
She told the Herald at the timethat while she knew she was pregnant when she announced the decision, that was not the reason she is standing down.
“I simply want to do more in life,” she said.
“It’s no secret the job is 24/7, and I think what I am going to enjoy is having a couple of weekends back.”
Van Velden found out she was pregnant the same day she was heading to Waikato for a business conference.