New Zealand's first baby visits Rātana for first time

Neve with her mother and speaker Trevor Mallard at Rātana.
Neve with her mother and speaker Trevor Mallard at Rātana. Photo credit: Newshub/Tova O'Brien

Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford has joined her mother at Rātana for the Government's annual church celebrations.

New Zealand's first baby was all smiles as she joined her parents - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford - for the annual pilgrimage in Whanganui.

The day marked the unofficial start to the political year.

Newshub political editor Tova O'Brien and other journalists posted photos to Twitter of Neve at the celebrations.

Since Neve's birth, she's been the focus of fascination by local and world media. At three-months-old, she was photographed with her parents at the UN general assembly.  

Ardern was the world's second Prime Minister to give birth while in office. The first was Pakistan's late two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Ardern has previously discussed how her life has changed since becoming Prime Minister and then a mum. She told NEXT magazine in March that it's often difficult to find spare time to spend with her family.

Neve celebrated her first birthday in June.