New Zealand speaker cradles baby during parliament debate

Friday, 23 August 2019 11:27

New Zealand Speaker Trevor Mallard is winning hearts online after he was captured cradling and feeding his colleague's baby while presiding over a debate in parliament.

He held baby Tutanekai for about 15 minutes during a fiery debate after spotting lawmaker Tamati Coffey with his 6-week-old son.

Mallard later tweeted photos of himself with the baby boy in the chair saying, "Normally the Speaker’s chair is only used by Presiding Officers but today a VIP took the chair with me."

Normally the Speaker’s chair is only used by Presiding Officers but today a VIP took the chair with me. Congratulations @tamaticoffey and Tim on the newest member of your family. pic.twitter.com/47ViKHsKkA
— Trevor Mallard (@NZTrevorIreland) August 21, 2019

Coffey had just returned from paternity leave, and it was the first time he brought his son to a parliamentary debate.

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